But producing quality apples in the backyard can be very challenging. Attempts at apple growing are frequently met with disappointment because trees and pests are poorly managed.
Growers are frequently unaware of potential pest problems and management options.
Other pests and diseases such as stink bugs, flyspeck, and sooty blotch reduce the aesthetic and keeping quality of the fruit. Knowing that pests are likely to appear, some gardeners may use excessive amounts of fruit spray mixtures and may be left wondering whether or not their apples are safe. While impractical for commercial growers, bagging of fruit on the tree provides an effective alternative to pesticide sprays throughout most of the season. Fruit bagging has been used in commercial orchards on the west coast to improve fruit finish on apples for export to Asian countries. But the bags also act as a barrier to protect the fruit against attack by summer insect pests and diseases.