Fruit Bites for July 5-7 … Apple BMPs
BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we are talking about best management practices in apples.
AW: During this 4th of July week, let’s celebrate one of our national treasures, the honey bee. This year, US Apple and the Honey Bee Health Coalition published a set of pollinator best management practices. In the PNW, we rely almost entirely on commercial honey bees. Well, that and the 7 Mason bees that I had in my bee house next to a pollinator garden.
BL: (do you have a pollinator garden?)
AW: From homeowners to growers, we should all avoid contaminating bees during bloom time, so be careful what and when you apply any type of pest control product. Pesticide labels will have information regarding how to avoid contaminating bees, so always read and follow. Other practices mentioned were providing a pollinator habitat and growers and beekeepers communicating expectations. Check out the Best Management Practices Pollinator report online at US Apple.org
BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.
