Year-round quality management begins after harvest

April 2016 | Written by John Wilton, AgFirst | Australian Fruitgrower article

John Wilton argues that orchard quality management does not end when fruit is picked. Decisions made immediately after harvest influence next season’s flowering, canopy condition, nutrient reserves and the orchard’s ability to produce another high-quality crop.

The article links post-harvest orchard management with irrigation, nutrition, leaf health and the timing of post-harvest work. Trees still need functioning leaves and adequate water after harvest so that they can replenish reserves and support bud development before dormancy.

The practical message is to manage the orchard as a year-round production system. Protecting tree function after harvest helps maintain return bloom, balanced growth and consistent productivity rather than allowing tree condition to deteriorate once the crop has been removed.