WTFRC: Time To Focus On Thinning

Now that spring has sprung, that means the orchards across the Inland Northwest as buzzing with activity, and we’re not just talking about the bees.  The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission says now is a key time of the year for growers to maximize their production.

“The most important thing that they can do, to directly affect those parameters, are related to crop load management," said WTFRC project manager, Tory Schmidt.  "And at this time of year, when we’re talking about crop load management, we’re really talking about thinning.”

Schmidt said this is the time for thinning, but before that, he’s hopeful growers has already addressed the pruning needs.  He added healthy trees now will pay off in the fall.

“Those trees will hide the number of fruit that are actually there, so it’s really difficult to see, there’s a lot more fruit in the tree than people realize.”

Schmidt says when thinning, it’s best to not over-think it, and to be aggressive.  He added under thinning is more prevalent than over thinning.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com