Title | Available As | Summary | Date | ID | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pruning Peach Trees | Annual pruning is a critical management practice for
producing easily harvested, heavy crops of high quality
peaches. However, pruning is not a substitute for other
orchard practices such as fertilization, irrigation, and
pest control. Pruning practices vary slightly in different
regions of the United States, but have changed little in
the East during the past 70 years. Although pruning may
vary slightly for different varieties and localities, certain
general practices should be followed. The successful
pruner must understand the principles of plant growth,
the natural growth habit of the tree, and how the tree
will respond to certain types of pruning cuts. Improper
pruning will reduce yield and fruit quality. |
Jul 15, 2020 | 422-020 (SPES-221P) | ||
Tree Fruit in the Home Garden | It is desirable to locate the fruit planting as close to your home as possible. Where space is limited, fruit trees may be set in almost any location suitable for ornamental plants. Consider the mature size of the tree when designing the planting. |
Sep 21, 2020 | 426-841 (SPES-259P) | ||
Brown Rot on Peach and Other Stone Fruits | Brown rot is one of the most destructive diseases of peach and nectarine in Virginia, and also occurs on other stone fruits such as apricot, cherry, and plum. When environmental conditions favor this disease, crop loss can be devastating. |
Feb 16, 2024 | 450-721 (SPES-554P) | ||
2025 Spray Bulletin for Commercial Tree Fruit Growers | The guide contains information on pesticides used in orchards, with a seasonal treatment of when and how these materials should be employed. Efficacy information toward major fruit pests as well as beneficial species is included. The guide is black and white, but with a color photograph for the cover. It is spiral bound. |
Feb 7, 2025 | 456-419 (ENTO-605P) | ||
Commercial Grape Varieties for Virginia | May 1, 2009 | 463-019 | |||
Vineyard Site Selection | May 1, 2009 | 463-020 | |||
Vineyard Financial Calculator | The Vineyard Financial Calculator is an educational tool that is useful for comparing the financial performance of different vineyard operational scenarios. This tool's intended user is an individual or organization exploring the financial requirements of vineyard establishment and operation in Virginia. The tool was designed to forecast the approximate pretax annual cash inflows and outflows of a vineyard − information required to build a business prospectus. Users can modify certain input variables, such as vineyard size and labor costs, as well as outputs, such as crop level, to tailor the projections to personal expectations. The VFC is only a predictive tool; actual results could vary from those predicted due to site conditions, variances in costs, or unanticipated gains or losses. This tool was created in 2016 and originally published in 2017. The principals with which this tool operates are still valid, but the raw material prices may have changed. |
Sep 23, 2022 | AREC-188NP (SPES-424NP) | ||
Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center | Jan 1, 2024 | AREC-88NP (AREC-294NP) | |||
Grape Production Injuries and Prevention | Grape acreage and production have been steadily increasing in the
US. In 2010 there were approximately 23,000 farms with a total of
944,800 acres producing grapes. Ninety percent of these farms are
smaller than 100 acres and about 16,000 of these were vineyards.
California accounts for about 90% of the total production in the
US. The next two largest grape producing states are Washington and
New York and they produce approximately 6% and 2% respectively
(NASS-USDA, 2014) |
Oct 23, 2020 | BSE-186NP (BSE-355NP) | ||
Field Performance of Rootstocks for Bitter Pit Reduction in ‘Honeycrisp’ Apples | This publication summarizes a multi-year field trial evaluating 14 apple rootstocks for their effects on bitter pit (BP) incidence and fruit quality in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples. It provides practical, research-based guidance to growers and extension agents, highlighting how rootstock selection influences BP severity, fruit size, and mineral nutrient balance. The content is adapted from a peer-reviewed article (Islam et al., 2022) and presented in grower-friendly language to support orchard management decisions. |
Jun 25, 2025 | SPES-711NP | ||
Evaluation of ACC and AVG Combination as a New Tool for Managing Pre-Harvest Fruit Drop and Improving Red Color in ‘Honeycrisp’ Apples | This project evaluates a novel approach to managing pre-harvest fruit drop (PFD) and enhancing red coloration in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples by combining two plant growth regulators: aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, marketed as ReTain) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC, marketed as Accede). Conducted over two seasons (2023–2024) in Virginia, the study compared six treatments—including ReTain, Accede, Motivate (ethephon), and their combinations—applied to mature ‘Honeycrisp’ trees. While ReTain effectively reduced fruit drop, it also suppressed color development. Conversely, Accede enhanced coloration but led to higher fruit drop. The combination of ReTain and Accede proved to balance these trade-offs, significantly reducing fruit drop while improving red color and maintaining desirable fruit quality traits. The findings offer a practical strategy to maximize both yield and marketability in ‘Honeycrisp’ apple production. |
Jun 27, 2025 | SPES-712NP | ||
Rootstock Effects on Flower Bud Mortality in ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ Apples Under Natural Spring Frost Conditions (2021–2023) | This publication summarizes a three-year field study investigating the effects of ten commercial rootstocks on flower bud mortality in ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples during natural spring frost events in Virginia. Results highlight significant rootstock-specific differences in bud survival, with B.9 consistently showing the lowest mortality. The findings offer practical recommendations to help growers select cold-hardy rootstocks that reduce frost-related losses and improve crop reliability in the face of shifting climate patterns. |
Jun 30, 2025 | SPES-713NP |