Hello Wisconsin Fruit News subscribers, and welcome back to Notes from The Field: A Grower’s Perspective. This week I had the opportunity to visit Steve Louis at Oakwood Fruit Farm in Richland Center, WI for our sixth chat and a tour of the farm.

Things have slowed down (but not for long!) at Oakwood Fruit Farm as the apples continue to increase in diameter and some are starting to develop color. The second round of NAA has been applied to the orchard. A cover spray was applied last week, and Steve is hoping to space them every 3 weeks depending on the weather. On newer blocks, summer training of shoots is underway. Irrigation is also a priority on these young trees. Mice can be a serious pest problem for young plantings, so Steve recommends putting tree guards on as soon as you can to your younger plantings – don’t wait until winter if you don’t have to, protect new plantings.

Insect pressure remains low, and observations of plum curculio (PC) are spotty and sporadic, likely due to the back-and-forth weather. Perimeter sprays for PC help keep numbers low in the orchard. Overall, Oakwood is not making many insecticide applications, and as a result they are seeing more beneficials in the orchard. Current conditions are favorable for mites, and while none have been spotted, it is important to keep an eye out for them or symptoms of damage such as bronzing.

That’s all for now! Check out the notes from my next chat with Steve Louis in the 8^th issue of Wisconsin Fruit News on July 15.

Missed the notes from my last chat with Steve?? Check them out here!

The mention of a product is NOT an endorsement. This article series is NOT intended to provide recommendations; simply to hear from other growers about in-season tasks on their farm. Always follow the instructions on product labels and consult weather stations (ex. NEWA) in your area for current weather forecast and disease prediction models.

This article was posted in Notes from the Field and tagged Leslie Holland, Notes from the Field, Steve Louis.