Update On Michigan Growing Conditions

Posted by Paul Rusnak|May 1, 2013

With recent warmer temperatures, tree fruit growth is finally moving along and fairly quickly at most farms in Southeast Michigan. Spraying has also begun for most tree fruit growers. Some planting is taking place on lighter soils.

According to Bob Tritten with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, the season is running between one and one and a half weeks behind normal. With the warmer temperatures that are expected over the next few days, the season could catch back to normal timing. MSU Extension predicts bloom in apples in the southern part of the region in eight to 10 days. “I continue to see more than the typical spread in flower bud development this season in the southern tier of Michigan counties,” says Tritten.

Most of the region received another inch of rain over the last week, adding more moisture to an already wet spring. Most soils are just starting to dry out enough that field work may begin soon.

For more information on conditions in Southeast Michigan go to http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/southeast_michigan_fruit_regional_report_april_30_2013. Be sure to view the Related Articles box at the bottom of the page for reports from other regions.