News

Northwest Michigan fruit update – June 17, 2025

Published on June 17, 2025
Apple size increased by 8 mm since last week, and some growers are still thinning apples. Growers are estimating tart and sweet cherry crops following cold damage in late April.
Southwest Michigan Fruit update – June 10, 2025

Published on June 11, 2025
It’s starting to feel more like summer!
Northwest Michigan fruit update – June 10, 2025

Published on June 10, 2025
Sweet cherries are sizing, and there are plum curculio stings on the fruitlets. First cherry leaf spot lesions have been observed in unsprayed blocks. There are reports of isolated hail on June 10.
Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 3 2025

Published on June 4, 2025
Surprise frost over the weekend and a heatwave beginning of this week—pure Michigan!
Northwest Michigan fruit update – June 4, 2025

Published on June 4, 2025
Sweet cherries are at 7 millimeters. Tart cherries are coming out of the shuck. Apples are at various stages of bloom and sizing fast. Apple growers will be making thinning decisions and preparing for rain this week to protect against disease.
How do pre-plant soil treatments improve growth and control nematodes in cherry orchards?

Published on May 29, 2025
Pre-plant soil treatments, including fumigants, nematicides and organic amendments, improve tree growth and reduce harmful nematode populations, offering promising solutions for managing orchard replant disease in Michigan cherry systems.
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 27, 2025

Published on May 28, 2025
With the cooler temperatures, many apples are still in bloom in the north. Growers are balancing disease control management with the cool weather.
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 20, 2025

Published on May 21, 2025
Sweet and tart cherries are in petal fall after an extremely fast bloom period with the warm weather last week. Gala are in king bloom petal fall, and Honeycrisp are at 80% bloom; pollination weather has been particularly cool for honeybee flight.
Southwest Michigan fruit update – May 20, 2025

Published on May 21, 2025
Bloom is cooling off, as is the rest of the state.
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 13, 2025

Published on May 14, 2025
Sweet cherries are in full bloom, and tart cherries are close behind at 50% bloom. Apples are at pink, and growers are busy with bloom activities.