Growers should prepare well in advance for the onset of cold weather or for unexpected cold snaps that arrive earlier or later than normal. Frequently check the weather forecast and provide more than one system of cold protection. Don’t use plant chemicals (pesticides, bacteriocides or fungicides before the pest or disease has been diagnosed and a test run tried on a small area of the crop. By using incorrect product at incorrect dose rates leads to expensive waste. Ensure a well designed irrigation system that irrigates the crop evenly and avoids excessive run-off of water (and fertilizers and pesticides). Make sure that plants are properly spaced; if they are too dense, plants will stretch and are more difficult to spray. This often leads to badly shaped plants, increased disease and deterioration of older leaves. Lynn Griffith, GrowerTalks www.growertalks.com