College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – April 15, 2025

  Published on April 15, 2025
  It’s still cold and wet, so the fruit are moving slowly.

• 

  Grand Rapids area apple maturity report – October 15, 2025

  Published on October 15, 2025
  Harvest of late-season apple varieties is beginning at some locations this week. Apple harvest is wrapping up for some commercial growers across the region.

• 

  West central Michigan tree fruit update – April 5, 2022

  Published on April 5, 2022
  Trees are still dormant in west central Michigan.

• 

  West central Michigan apple maturity report – October 19, 2022

  Published on October 19, 2022
  Rain and cool weather moved in across the region this week. Idared are being harvested at many orchards. EverCrisp and Aztec Fuji may be ready to harvest depending on storage requirements.

• East Michigan apple maturity report – Sept. 18, 2019

  Published on September 18, 2019
  Gala, second picking of Honeycrisp and Early Fuji are being harvested at most apple orchards across east Michigan. McIntosh harvest has been wrapped up at most farms, except those treated with ReTain.

• Northwest Michigan tree fruit update – Aug. 24, 2021

  Published on August 24, 2021
  Apples are ripening quickly with the heat and adequate moisture; we anticipate harvest to be seven to10 days ahead of normal.

• East Michigan apple maturity report – Sept. 25, 2019

  Published on September 25, 2019
  Jonathan and Jonagold are ready for harvest, and a few early strains of Golden Delicious on early sites are ready to be spot picked. Gala harvest has wrapped up at most farms, except those treated with ReTain.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – Aug. 24, 2021

  Published on August 24, 2021
  Apple harvest is beginning.

• 

  Reducing pesticide risk to bees during fruit crop bloom

  Published on May 12, 2022
  Bees are returning for pollination of fruit crops. Growers can protect pollinators by minimizing pesticide exposure and risk around bloom.

• 

  Apple thinning guidelines for Grand Rapids region now available

  Published on May 11, 2021
  As we approach the critical thinning period for apples, use these 2021 recommendations to guide your thinning decisions.

• 

  Obliquebanded leafroller management in tree fruits

  Published on June 14, 2023
  Obliquebanded leafroller is a threat to apples and cherries. First generation larvae are expected in several weeks in southwest Michigan.

• Apple scion and rootstock selection and planning for Michigan

  Published on April 1, 2008
  

• 

  Early start to the growing season means early start to disease control in fruit crops

  Published on February 27, 2017
  Warm weather has fruit crops growing. Now is the time for dormant sprays to control early diseases in stone fruit (peaches, plums and cherries), blueberries and raspberries.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – July 21, 2020

  Published on July 21, 2020
  Berry harvest continues. Peach and plum harvests have begun. Spotted wing Drosophila numbers are starting to climb.

• 

  Northwest Michigan fruit update – April 6, 2021

  Published on April 6, 2021
  With the recent warm weather, development is three to four weeks ahead of normal, and growers are starting their apple management programs this week.

• 2014 Controlled Atmosphere Storage Clinic presentations available online

  Published on August 26, 2014
  Presentations and related information from the 2014 Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage Clinic, held Aug. 6, are available at the MSU Apples website.

• Forcing cuttings to determine the end of dormancy in fruits and other plants

  Published on January 16, 2013
  Woody plants may be ready to grow. Forcing cuttings can tell you when dormancy is completed.

• East Michigan fruit update – Sept. 4, 2019

  Published on September 4, 2019
  Brown marmorated stink bug populations are on the rise at some farms. Gala and McIntosh apple varieties are nearing maturity. There is a wide range of soil moisture levels across the region.

• West Michigan tree fruit update – Sept. 4, 2018

  Published on September 4, 2018
  Heavy rains reduce drought risk and increase disease risk.

• Grand Rapids area apple maturity report – Sept. 5, 2018

  Published on September 5, 2018
  Early apple variety harvest is finishing up with Gala harvest on tap for next week.