Once they come out with a proposal the public will get a chance to comment, usually 60-90 days. Therefore it seems pretty unlikely that a final rule will be in place before the coming growing season. Whatever happens, it's probably going to mean changes to cider producers. In the next issue of Facts for Fancy Fruit, we'll look at some of the factors to ensure sanitation and safety of your cider operation. Washington state accounted for just over half the nation's apple production at 131 million bushels.
Trees are still dormant, but the time remaining for collecting good scion wood is short.
Remember that scion wood should be stored at 32F and wrapped in moist cloth and plastic film. Do not store with apples. Nitrogen fertilizers for trees should be applied by about six weeks ahead of bloom, or by mid-March in most of the state. If growth has been strong and foliage heavy, then nitrogen rates should be reduced this year. Severely pruned trees should not be heavily fertilized with nitrogen, since excessive vegetative growth will be produced.