Recently published articles featured on Good Fruit Grower.
The thinking on cider apple thinning
Managing crop load for hard and sweet cider.
Mass firings of federal workers include scientists working for the fruit industry
—story by Kate Prengaman and Ross Courtney On Feb. 13, the Trump administration began serious
Good Stuff, March 15, 2025
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
Tristan Dorfling, a young grower from Cape Town, South Africa
Tristan earned a master’s degree in horticulture from Stellenbosch University. He is married to Georgine and is the son of Linda Dorfling and Ralf Ketzer.
Wanted: Codling moth larvae dead, not alive
Codling moth management failures are traced to emerging resistance to granulovirus in two Washington populations.
California farmer tells cautionary tale for Washington ag — Video
Cherry Institute speaker warns Washington to not follow California on policies.
Spotted lanternfly strategies for vineyards
Researchers have bad news and good news for spotted lanternfly management.
Fighting fruit pests from the air
Spray drones show promise controlling pests in grapes and tree fruit.
Employer incentives help bring injured employees back to work
Washington raises limits on employer return-to-work incentive programs.
Netting for bird control
Protective nets can limit feeding damage in Michigan sweet cherries.
In a spot with cherry leaf spot
Growers return to copper fungicides for cherry leaf spot control.
Disease decisions for stone fruit
Stone fruit pathogens need consistent management, though options are limited.
New answers and new questions for codling moth control
WSU research updates and expands codling moth trap guidelines.
Third generation of moths unwelcome
Penn State entomologist shares updates on codling moth complications.
Good Stuff, March 1, 2025
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
Jessica Foster, a young grower from Mannington, New Jersey
Jessica graduated from Penn State University and earned her master’s degree in soil science at the University of Vermont. She has a twin brother, Josh, a sister, Lindsey, and is the daughter of Terri and Bruce Foster.
Understanding adaptability in different climates
South African trial investigates cultivar performance under varied climate conditions.
The chill factor for cherries in warmer climates
There is more to the cherry equation than chill needs.
More funding for more fungi research
FRAME Network expands to cover research for improved methods to battle fungal diseases.
International Fruit Tree Association honors industry contributors
The International Fruit Tree Association presented several awards during its 68th annual conference in Rochester, New York, Feb. 16–19...
Crab apples may hold keys for fire blight resistance
Understanding fire blight resistance in wild North American apples could improve control methods in commercial crops.
Spot marks the X for little cherry disease infections — Video
Canine pathogen detection shows promise, but commercialization could be a challenge.
Growers facing a fire blight pathogen predicament
Washington State University researcher finds resistance to fire blight antibiotic kasugamycin.
Paul van Westreenen, a young grower from Echteld, Netherlands
Paul is a fourth-generation farmer working on his 100-year-old family farm located in the Netherlands’ Gelderland province. He is the son of Margriet and Berend Jan van Westreenen and is working with his sister, Martine, on the farm.
More red ahead for cherry promotions
Northwest cherry promoters to reuse imagery and strategy from successful 2024 season.
Details on a new dieback pathogen in the Pacific Northwest
Cherry orchard survey alerts researchers to new pathogen, renews focus on fungi fight.
Gary Grove crowned 2025 Cherry King
—story by Kate Prengaman—photo by TJ Mullinax Mike Taylor, left, the 2024 Cherry King, crowns
Good Stuff, February 15, 2025
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
Vine-tuning vineyard forecasts
ColdSnap tool will predict bud cold hardiness.
Stub cut considerations
Ideal stub length depends on variety, vigor and other factors.
Bad news bugs
Entomologist shares the latest research on three common apple pests.
Adoption hurdles for vineyard automation
Washington State Grape Society speakers discuss implementing sensor-based irrigation.
South African growers forging their own trials
International Fruit Tree Association visits South African growers putting their trees to the tests.
Making an estate winery work in northern Ohio
Growers adding up the acres and successes.
Picking a winning cherry system
Oregon cherry grower favors steep leader but encourages execution over system.
Fruit growers facing a future climate now
South African growers routinely navigate heat and water stress as they modernize their orchard systems, and growers around the world can learn from them in the face of a changing global climate.
Hansen: Supporting sustainability
Washington wine industry research supports long-term vineyard solutions.
Frei: Forging ahead in 2025
Collective actions to respond to challenges help us advance our Washington wine community.
Good Stuff, February 1, 2025
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
Lighting the way to pathogen control in the packing house
Researchers explore use of ultraviolet light on packing lines.
‘Granny’ helps guide apple storage decisions
New computer program rates apple starch sampling, offering warehouses more efficiency and researchers more precision.
Connecting the dots for successful fruit storage
Scientists continue to explore causes of fruit storage outcomes.
Postharvest pointers for pear growers
Hort Show speakers share pear storage advice.
Fruit production in sunny South Africa
Solar panels and orchards soak up the South African sunshine, which powers the region’s $1 billion export-focused tree fruit industry.
Taking fungicide application from a drench to a drizzle
A field application of postharvest fungicide using a single pass of water can reduce cross-contamination risks.
Good Stuff, January 15, 2025
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
Wine grapes bred to chill
Interest rising in cold-hardy grapes after destructive Northern winters.
A tale of two seasons for spotted wing drosophila
Researchers dial in on SWD management in Michigan.
Tough calls to be made for profitable cherry production
Cherry pruning, systems and harvest come down to stark economic factors.
Closure of Sage Fruit sales desk triggers shake-up of Washington fruit volumes for 2025
The new year kicked off with some new alignments in the Washington tree fruit industry, following the closure of the Sage Fruit sales desk at the end of 2024...