SW Michigan Fruit Update
March 29, 2005
Weather
The winter of 2004-2005 was a fairly normal Michigan winter. Sub-zero temperatures, in mid January, caused little damage. A cool march has delayed bud development. Warmer weather over the weekend has caused most fruit crop buds to start to swell. At this time we can easily handle freezing temperatures down to 20 F.
There are still a few piles of snow in some areas of the Southwest region but it will all be gone soon. Soil moisture is excellent and soil temperatures are near 40. The last week has been dry and warmer with highs above freezing into the 40s. At this time our Growing Degree Day accumulations are similar to and lower than 2001. 2005 and 2001 are the coolest springs in the last ten years. A warm week would quickly bring us up to average for this early in the season.
Southwest Michigan Growing Degree Day Totals March 1, 2005 through March 27, 2005 |
||
Location |
GDD 42 |
GDD 50 |
11 |
1 |
|
12 |
1 |
|
Lawton: |
10 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
|
13 |
1 |
|
7 |
0 |
|
Tree fruit
Apricots buds have started swell. The most advanced are at red tip.
Peach buds are swollen and growers should be applying peach leaf curl sprays. There are reports of some fruit bud loss over the winter to cold, but damage has not been fully assessed.
Cherry buds are swollen Orchard defoliation last year was severe on tart cherries but forced buds look good.
Plum buds are swollen.
Early
Apples are at silver tip. Some growers have
applied copper.
Pear buds show little movement.
Small fruit
Blueberry fruit buds are beginning to swell. We have the potential for a good crop.
Grapes are dormant. Pruning cuts should begin to bleed this week with the warm weather.
Strawberries are beginning to green up in Southern Berrien County and new leaves should begin to emerge soon.
Raspberries show little movement. Growers should be tipping summer raspberry canes. Growers are mowing fall raspberry fields.
