Scab
Olive-green to black, velvety spots on apple and pear leaves, and dark, corky patches on the fruit, which sometimes crack open. Badly affected leaves fall early.
The fungus overwinters on fallen leaves and infects young leaves and fruitlets in a wet spring.
What can you do?
- In autumn, clear up fallen leaves and put them in the green waste bin, or shred them with the mower so earthworms clear them quickly.
- Prune for an open crown in winter so leaves and fruit dry faster.
- On pears, cut out twigs with scab blisters.
- Lightly spotted fruit is still edible: peel it, but don’t store it for long.
Prevention
When planting, choose a scab-resistant or less susceptible variety, such as the apples ‘Santana’, ‘Topaz’ or ‘Rubinola’, and plant in a sunny, airy spot.
When to watch out: April–June