Predicted 2014 apple harvest dates
The 2014 predicted apple harvest dates are roughly one week behind normal and last year. Bloom dates during spring were also behind normal.
Editor's note: On Sept. 4, 2014, Table 3 of this article was expanded to give the harvest dates for both west central and southwest Michigan. Previous information was not changed or altered.
The predicted apple harvest dates are now available at all locations on the Michigan State University Enviro-weather website. In general, 2014 predicted harvest dates are roughly a week behind normal and a week behind last year. Bloom dates this spring were also behind normal across the state.
As always, the weather seems to be unusual each year and 2014 was no different. It began after an extremely long, cold winter with a late, cool spring that eventually became somewhat normal in May and June. Little to no frost events occurred. This unusual spring was also characterized by considerable and seemingly unending record precipitation in most state locations. Most apple growers were successful in thinning the crop with most growers under-thinning slightly. This moderate to heavy crop will mature close to the predicted dates. Blocks with light crop loads will mature three or four days sooner.
The normal harvest dates for other varieties are listed in Table 3 for the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. This year's 2014 predicted dates and adjusted predicted dates are a rough estimate based on the McIntosh, Jonathan and Red Delicious predicted dates. Michigan State University Extension recommends other areas of the state adjust non-predicted varieties based on their own history. ReTain application should be applied 30 days before harvest (DBH). Use Table 3’s 2014 predicted harvest dates to time ReTain applications and adjust for varieties and locations.
Table 1. 2014 predicted peak harvest dates
Full bloom date |
Predicted harvest date |
Observer |
|||||
Station |
McIntosh |
Jonathans |
Reds |
McIntosh |
Jonathans |
Reds |
|
May 12 |
May 13 |
May 13 |
Sept. 11 |
Oct. 1 |
Oct. 7 |
||
Deerfield |
May 12 |
May 14 |
May 16 |
Sept. 12 |
Sept. 30 |
Oct. 7 |
|
May 15 |
May 17 |
May 17 |
Sept. 14 |
Oct. 1 |
Oct. 7 |
||
Peach Ridge |
May 21 |
May 22 |
May 23 |
Sept. 19 |
Oct. 2 |
Oct. 10 |
|
May 23 |
May 24 |
May 25 |
Sept. 23 |
Oct. 8 |
Oct. 14 |
||
May 27 |
May 31 |
May 31 |
Sept. 26 |
Oct. 13 |
Oct. 19 |
Table 2. 2014 predicted peak harvest dates compared to normal and last year
Days ahead of normal |
Days ahead of last year |
|||||
Station |
McIntosh |
Jonathans |
Reds |
McIntosh |
Jonathans |
Reds |
-8 |
-7 |
-7 |
-6 |
-8 |
-8 |
|
Deerfield |
-7 |
-7 |
-8 |
-4 |
-9 |
-5 |
-6 |
-5 |
-4 |
-1 |
-6 |
-4 |
|
Peach Ridge |
-9 |
-8 |
-9 |
-5 |
-5 |
-6 |
-7 |
-5 |
-6 |
-5 |
-5 |
-4 |
|
-7 |
-10 |
-9 |
-4 |
-7 |
-6 |
Table 3. Normal and 2014 peak harvest dates for varieties for the west central (Grand Rapids) and southwest Michigan areas*
Variety |
Normal date (west central) |
2014 predicted date (west central) |
Normal date (southwest*) |
2014 predicted date (southwest*) |
Paula Red |
Aug. 24 |
Aug. 28 |
Aug. 22 |
Aug. 21 |
Gingergold |
Aug. 26 |
Aug. 30 |
Aug. 24 |
Aug. 23 |
Gala |
Sept. 10 |
Sept. 14 |
Sept. 8 |
Sept. 7 |
McIntosh |
Sept. 15 |
Sept. 19 |
Sept. 10 |
Sept. 11 |
Honeycrisp |
Sept. 18 |
Sept. 22 |
Sept. 13 |
Sept. 19 |
Empire |
Sept. 22 |
Sept. 26 |
Sept. 22 |
Sept. 23 |
Jonathan |
Sept. 28 |
2-Oct |
Sept. 22 |
Oct. 1 |
Jonagold |
Sept. 28 |
2-Oct |
Sept. 22 |
Oct. 1 |
Golden Delicious |
Oct. 2 |
Oct. 6 |
Sept. 25 |
Oct. 3 |
Red Delicious |
Oct. 5 |
Oct. 10 |
Sept. 28 |
Oct. 7 |
Ida Red |
Oct. 10 |
Oct. 14 |
Oct. 5 |
Oct. 11 |
Rome |
Oct. 15 |
Oct. 18 |
Oct. 5 |
Oct. 15 |
Fuji |
Oct. 25 |
Oct. 28 |
Oct. 20 |
Oct. 25 |
Braeburn |
Oct. 25 |
Oct. 28 |
Oct. 20 |
Oct. 25 |
Goldrush |
Nov. 1 |
Nov. 4 |
Oct. 26 |
Nov. 1 |
*Southwest prediction based on weather station data for the Southwest Michigan Research Center site in central Berrien County. Sites north of here, closer to Lake Michigan, and on heavier soils will generally harvest later.