Predicted 2016 apple harvest dates
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EmailThe 2016 predicted apple harvest dates are a few days ahead of normal, and a few days ahead of last year.
The predicted apple harvest dates are now available at all locations on the Michigan State University Enviro-weather website. In general, 2016 predicted harvest dates are roughly a few days ahead of normal except in the north, which might be normal to behind normal. Predicted dates are a few days ahead of last year. Bloom dates this spring were early in Michigan. May was a cold month and a long, drawn out bloom period. We do expect mixed maturity at harvest time due to the long bloom.
As always, the weather seems to be unusual each year and 2016 was no different. It began with what appeared to be another very early spring, however late winter and early spring cold conditions set in and growth was pushed back to near normal. Most areas bloomed early. The cold May was followed by a hot June, which gave us normal to early predicted harvest dates. A heavy crop load developed with king fruitlets all healthy and setting.
Most apple growers were successful in thinning the crop down to a nice crop load. Some blocks were over-thinned due to the hot conditions during the thinning window. Michigan’s crop load is approximately normal. Blocks with light crop loads will mature three or four days sooner than the predicted harvest dates. Heavy crop loads will mature seven days later than the predicted dates.
The normal harvest dates for other varieties are listed in Table 3 for the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area. This year's 2016 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. Use Table 3, 2016 Predicted Harvest Dates for Other Varieties, to time ReTain applications and adjust for varieties and locations.
Table 1. 2016 predicted peak harvest dates. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Full bloom date |
Predicted harvest date |
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|
Station |
McIntosh |
Jonathans |
Red Delicious |
McIntosh |
Jonathans |
Red Delicious |
Observer |
|
24-Apr |
25-Apr |
25-Apr |
30-Aug |
16-Sep |
22-Sep |
||
|
26-Apr |
28-Apr |
30-Apr |
1-Sep |
17-Sep |
25-Sep |
||
|
9-May |
11-May |
12-May |
7-Sep |
26-Sep |
5-Oct |
||
|
Peach Ridge |
7-May |
9-May |
10-May |
7-Sep |
29-Sep |
5-Oct |
|
|
13-May |
16-May |
17-May |
13-Sep |
2-Oct |
8-Oct |
||
|
21-May |
22-May |
23-May |
20-Sep |
30-Sep |
7-Oct |
||
Table 2. 2016 predicted peak harvest dates compared to normal and last year. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Days ahead of normal |
Days ahead of last year |
|||||
|
Station |
McIntosh |
Jonathans |
Red Delicious |
McIntosh |
Jonathans |
Red Delicious |
|
10 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
12 |
12 |
|
|
9 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
|
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
-2 |
|
|
Peach Ridge |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
5 |
|
|
-1 |
-1 |
-1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
|
Table 3. Normal and 2016 peak harvest dates for varieties for the Grand Rapids area. |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Variety |
Normal date |
2016 predicted date |
|
Paulared |
8/24/16 |
8/19/16 |
|
Gingergold |
8/26/16 |
8/21/16 |
|
Gala |
9/10/16 |
9/5/16 |
|
McIntosh |
9/15/16 |
9/7/16 |
|
Honeycrisp |
9/18/16 |
9/10/16 |
|
Empire |
9/22/16 |
9/14/16 |
|
Jonathan |
9/28/16 |
9/29/16 |
|
Jonagold |
9/28/16 |
9/29/16 |
|
Golden Delicious |
10/2/16 |
10/3/16 |
|
Red Delicious |
10/5/16 |
10/5/16 |
|
Idared |
10/10/16 |
10/10/16 |
|
Rome |
10/15/16 |
10/15/16 |
|
Fuji |
10/25/16 |
10/25/16 |
|
Braeburn |
10/25/16 |
10/25/16 |
|
Goldrush |
11/1/16 |
11/1/16 |