I'm one of the people who doesn't particularly like Liberty. I remember one poster saying that it needed to be well-ripened to shine. I picked some at a PYO orchard this fall on 10/16, after an especially long season (due to the early spring). Even so, it was just so-so. ~13-14 brix, with a nondescript flavor. I've had worse, but it wasn't good. The standout from the same day was some super-sweet Golden Russets (>21% brix). Given what Scott has said in the past (that Pomme Gris is similar to Golden Russet), I would definitely go with that. I've got one myself, but only planted it last spring. But, the must-have apple is Goldrush. Especially given the length of the growing season you have. Right off the tree it is one of the strongest flavored apples you'll find- lots of sweet and sour at the same time. And it's scab resistant with a great hard, good-keeping texture. I've had some pretty good Winesaps and not-bad Staymans from PYOs. I once found an Arkansas Black in a grocery store. While it is reputed to keep very well, even it could not stand up to the "non-refrigerated and tucked in a corner" treatment it received there. It was quite soft and not very impressive. I later had one which had been better preserved and it wasn't bad, but didn't really grab me (like a harder, but not crunchy Stayman). Winesap has been the best of the 3 so far, especially when well-ripened to the point where a few are just starting to crack.

Hi everyone. I'm in northern VA zone 6b/7a planting some seedless table grape varieties like Jupiter and Himrod--the others are seeded and more disease resistant so I'm a bit less worried about the others. What (organic?) spraying regimen have you guys had luck with? The Virginia coop spray recommendations might be a bit over the top. Any simple regimen you guys have had luck with? I'm also considering bagging if the spray regimens are really involved. I'm also going to try to grow a couple pure vinifera types but more for the verjuice from the unripe sour green state, so I won't need my vinifera to ripen, can pick those early. Any tips?

Re: proliferation-yes, I saw that was a possibility, but where I'd have it the one would be a replacement for 4 nanking cherry bushes (perhaps I should just cut them down instead of digging them out so their roots could inhibit?). So, I guess the question is, just how badly is badly? I suppose as long as it wouldn't be another "Banshee" it might be alright? I've had this thought given the number of own root gallicas I have (Apothecary, Belle de Crecy and now (thanks to Jim) Jenny Duval) and am getting (Alice Viena, Tuscany Superb-plus some that are supposed to not sucker so much, for gallicas-James Mason & Marianne) just what is the prognosis?

With spray program most Austins are very happy in Maryland. I think they really love our soil, summer heat with decent rainfall (this usmmer is exception) and winter chill. W/o spray this is another story. As Lori mentioned, they all will have BS and it all depends on your tolerance. I love Hritage, but I didn't spray and it has probably less than 10% of its leaves and it is not because of fall. It looks like it form mid July. Mayflower was OK for a year and than developed so much BS, you would not believe it. I gave it 4 years hoping it was just an unhappy year, but it lost it resistance forever. It is not in my garden anymore. Of all Austins I ever tried, the most resistant were Bow Bells (didn't see it offered that often now), The Shropshire Lad, Alexander Rose, Belle Storey. None of them is really resistant, just better in resistance than the others for this area in my experience. I didn't try Teasing Georgia or Generous Gardener, I would try them if I had sapce. Olga. Olga