How to spot it

Olive-green to black velvety spots on leaves and fruit in spring. Fruit spots turn corky and crack.

What it does

Leaves drop early and fruit is scabby and misshapen, though fine to eat peeled.

What to do now

• Rake up and remove fallen leaves in fall: they carry next year's spores.
• Spray sulfur from green tip through petal fall in wet springs, following the label.

Keep it away next time

• Plant resistant varieties (such as Liberty, Enterprise, Freedom, or Pristine).
• Prune so the canopy dries quickly.

Helpful supplies

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Plants it affects

See also