Southeast Michigan fruit update - July 1, 2026
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EmailRaspberry and cherry harvests are in full swing while blueberry harvest and strawberry renovation are just getting started.
Welcome to the 14th in-season fruit article update for southeast Michigan for the 2026 season. Throughout the season these updates will include information about the weather in the past week and the upcoming week, a fruit-by-fruit guide to current conditions with appropriate pest and disease updates, and other relevant observations.
General observations
In the last week we have moved from a cool spell to a scorching week. Read this recent MSU Extension article on heat stress prevention. Hot and dry conditions are expected for the next few days, with some relief on the horizon as temperatures drop when storms roll in over the weekend. Raspberry and cherry harvests are in full swing while blueberries are just getting started. Growers are starting to renovate strawberries.
Our weekly video integrated pest management (IPM) updates have concluded for the season. See the recordings of the weekly fruit meetings for southern Michigan on MSU’s Kaltura Media Space, including the final June 23 meeting.
Fruit-by-fruit conditions
Apples: Apples are sizing up with considerable variation in diameter depending on region and cultivar. June drop is in progress.
Blueberries: Some farms have opened harvest for early cultivars like Duke. Other varieties are still sizing up and starting to color.
Brambles: Harvest is underway in summer raspberries. Floral buds and flowers are starting to show up on fall raspberries and blackberries are at fruit set.
Cherries: Harvest continues in sweet and tart cherries at many sites. The cool, extended bloom period along with frosts contributed to low crop set at some farms, and some farms may not be harvesting the small amounts of cherries they have. This is site dependent.
Grapes: Bloom has concluded and fruits are sizing up. Tight-clustered grapes like Petite Pearl are approaching berry touch. Other grapes are around pea-size.
Peaches and nectarines: Peaches have passed the pit hardening stage and are in the third growth phase. Harvest in the earliest varieties like Rich May has started in our warmest areas.
New bulletin: “Best Practices for Peach Orchards with Reduced Crop Load”
Pears are sizing up in the region. Local scouts have reported sightings of pear psylla adults in orchards.
Plums: Japanese and European style plums have passed the pit hardening phase.
Strawberries: Some farms are picking the very last of their berries, but for the most part harvest is done in the region. Thrips damage was extensive in certain parts of the state. Many areas have also seen frost damage, resulting in lower crops at some farms. Some growers have started renovating their fields for next year. You can read more at this this article on renovation. Most tank mixes are safe and effective when allowed by the label, but some combinations (2,4-D with a graminicide or a fast-acting contact herbicide with glyphosate) can result in reduced effectiveness. Check your labels for tank-mix restrictions and crop safety.
Join Michigan State University Extension for Strawberry Day on July 8 in Three Rivers, Michigan.
Insect conditions
More in-depth information can be found by watching the latest weekly fruit meetings on MSU’s Kaltura Media Space (these may take a few days to upload after the meetings).
New MSU article: “Don't trust the calendar: Why trapping matters during unusual weather”
New MSU Extension bulletin: “Managing Ambrosia Beetles in Apple”
Aphids: Woolly apple aphid populations in apple are on branches with some on terminals while rosy apple aphid populations are down after successful control by growers. Green apple aphids populations are climbing.
Apple maggot: First catch was reported in southeast Michigan this week.
Blueberry maggot: Counts are up this week in Fennville.
Borers: Similar catch to last week of greater peachtree borer and an increase in lesser peachtree borer have been reported in Fennville.
Cherry fruit fly: Counts were down in Fennville but still present in southeast Michigan.
Cranberry fruit worm: Counts are down from last week at Fennville.
Codling moth: Adult catches are down regionally, and we are likely between generations.
European apple sawfly: Catches have declined in southeast Michigan but damage has been observed. This is a pest that wasn’t an issue for many years but growers have been reporting damage in the last few seasons.
Grape berry moth: Growers in the region observed wild grape bloom the first week of June, which is the biofix for grape berry moth. Counts at Fennville are consistent from last week to this week.
Japanese beetle: First Japanese beetles have been caught at Fennville. Kaolin clay can be a deterrent and perimeter sprays can also be effective for keeping them under control.
Mites: With hot and dry conditions this week, expect mites to thrive. European red mites and rust mites are starting to cause some bronzing in orchards. Twospotted spider mites have started webbing in spots that have existing populations.
Oriental fruit moth: Counts are still down, indicating we are between generations.
Pear psylla: Increased adult activity has been observed in orchards again.
San Jose scale: Waxed up scales are starting to be seen.
Spotted lanternfly: Look for nymphs in parts of the state that have documented populations (Detroit, Monroe County, Oakland County).
Spotted wing drosophila: Consistent counts in traps in southeast Michigan and Fennville. This pest often prefers fruit to the traps, so low trap counts do not necessarily mean low risk in fruit.
Disease conditions
Apple scab: The RimPro model for Romeo indicates that primary scab season is over. From this point on growers with existing scab infections should focus on controlling secondary scab. Risk is not anticipated this week.
Cherry leaf spot: There is some cherry leaf spot July 4. See this 2024 article on cherry leaf spot management.
European brown rot: Stone fruits are susceptible to infection around three weeks after shuck split and again three weeks before harvest through the harvest period. Risk is not expected this week.
Fire blight: There is low risk in apples and pears since we have moved out of bloom. Growers should spray for fire blight if there is hail damage.
Grape black rot: Control for grape black is most important immediately pre-bloom and during bloom. There is not much risk for black rot this week and grape bloom is mostly done. See this 2014 article for grape black rot management options and consult E-154. Risk is expected to be low this week.
Grape downy mildew: Risk is not expected this week.
Grape powdery mildew: Risk is expected to be severe for the entire week.
Phomopsis: In blueberries, the Phomopsis fungus is active from bud swell until after harvest.
Powdery mildew of apple and pear: You can start to include products labeled for powdery mildew in sprays starting at tight cluster. We are expecting severe risk for the entire week.
Seasonal weather update
In the last week, southeast Michigan saw an average of 4.4 hours of rain accumulating to 0.4 inches of precipitation.
| Liquid Precipitation Accumulation Mar. 1- June 30, 2026, issued June 30, 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station (County) | Rainfall Total (in.) Current | Hours with Rainfall Current | Rainfall Total Average (5 Yr.) | Hours with Rainfall Average (5 Yr.) |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 14.5 | 200 | 11.0 | 205 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 14.4 | 197 | 11.2 | 195 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 15.0 | 207 | 11.0 | 202 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 14.6 | 225 | 10.7 | 198 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 14.7 | 213 | 11.4 | 218 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 15.7 | 191 | . | . |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 13.2 | 210 | 11.1 | 198 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 16.7 | 209 | 10.0 | 193 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 14.7 | 221 | 9.9 | 210 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 16.3 | 215 | 9.4 | 187 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 15.1 | 225 | 9.0 | 196 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 16.0 | 209 | 10.5 | 192 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 15.2 | 196 | 11.8 | 195 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 13.9 | 200 | 9.3 | 208 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 15.0 | 208.4 | 10.5 | 199.8 |
| Difference in Degree Day Accumulation from Mar. 1, 2026 observed June 23 and June 30, 2026; issued June 30, 2026 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station (County) | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 50°F | Degree Days Base 50°F | Degree Days Base 50°F |
| 23-Jun | 30-Jun | Difference | 23-Jun | 30-Jun | Difference | 23-Jun | 30-Jun | Difference | |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 1436 | 1610 | 174.0 | 1202 | 1354 | 152.0 | 857 | 975 | 118.0 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 1676 | 1872 | 196.0 | 1418 | 1593 | 175.0 | 1032 | 1172 | 140.0 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 1531 | 1708 | 177.0 | 1289 | 1444 | 155.0 | 930 | 1051 | 121.0 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 1314 | 1468 | 154.0 | 1094 | 1227 | 133.0 | 775 | 875 | 100.0 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 1525 | 1705 | 180.0 | 1288 | 1447 | 159.0 | 937 | 1061 | 124.0 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 1375 | 1545 | 170.0 | 1152 | 1301 | 149.0 | 823 | 936 | 113.0 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 1584 | 1777 | 193.0 | 1340 | 1512 | 172.0 | 979 | 1116 | 137.0 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 1489 | 1673 | 184.0 | 1256 | 1420 | 164.0 | 910 | 1039 | 129.0 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 1429 | 1595 | 166.0 | 1203 | 1348 | 145.0 | 871 | 982 | 111.0 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 1226 | 1381 | 155.0 | 1012 | 1146 | 134.0 | 707 | 806 | 99.0 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 1258 | 1416 | 158.0 | 1046 | 1183 | 137.0 | 738 | 840 | 102.0 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 1445 | 1615 | 170.0 | 1217 | 1366 | 149.0 | 883 | 997 | 114.0 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 1446 | 1620 | 174.0 | 1212 | 1365 | 153.0 | 869 | 987 | 118.0 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 1319 | 1486 | 167.0 | 1101 | 1247 | 146.0 | 783 | 894 | 111.0 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 1432 | 1605 | 173 | 1202 | 1354 | 152 | 864 | 981 | 117 |
In the short term, we are expecting high temperatures with high evapotranspiration rates. There is a high risk for heat stress. Highs will start in the high 90s this week with heat index in the mid-100s and overnight lows be near record high temperatures. A cold front will come through over the weekend bringing storms and lower temperatures in the 80s.
In the medium term, we are expecting early July to be warmer than normal with a gradual decrease in precipitation.
Our regional average growing degree day accumulation for the season are about seven days ahead of the long term normals and about equal with the five-year average. In the last week, we accumulated on average 149 GDD at 42 F, 128 GDD at 45 F, and 93 GDD at 50 F (see table below). Read this Michigan State University Extension article to learn more about degree days: Understanding growing degree-days.
| Degree Day Accumulation Mar. 1-June 30, 2026 Forecast from July 1-7, 2026; issued June 30, 2026 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station (County) | Degree Days Base 42°F Current | Degree Days Base 42°F Average (5 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 42°F Forecast | Degree Days Base 45°F Current | Degree Days Base 45°F Average (5 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 45°F Forecast | Degree Days Base 50°F Current | Degree Days Base 50°F Average (5 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 50°F Forecast |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 1610 | 1587 | 1889 | 1354 | 1341 | 1612 | 975 | 981 | 1198 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 1872 | 1787 | 2154 | 1593 | 1524 | 1854 | 1172 | 1135 | 1398 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 1708 | 1653 | 1982 | 1444 | 1402 | 1698 | 1051 | 1034 | 1269 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 1468 | 1510 | 1735 | 1227 | 1269 | 1474 | 875 | 918 | 1086 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 1705 | 1693 | 1983 | 1447 | 1440 | 1704 | 1061 | 1067 | 1283 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 1545 | 1610 | 1811 | 1301 | 1367 | 1546 | 936 | 1010 | 1146 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 1777 | 1703 | 2058 | 1512 | 1452 | 1772 | 1116 | 1084 | 1341 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 1673 | 1695 | 1945 | 1420 | 1444 | 1670 | 1039 | 1075 | 1255 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 1595 | 1585 | 1865 | 1348 | 1341 | 1597 | 982 | 986 | 1196 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 1381 | 1470 | 1644 | 1146 | 1237 | 1389 | 806 | 900 | 1013 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 1416 | 1472 | 1685 | 1183 | 1239 | 1431 | 840 | 901 | 1052 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 1615 | 1653 | 1884 | 1366 | 1405 | 1615 | 997 | 1038 | 1210 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 1620 | 1596 | 1895 | 1365 | 1347 | 1620 | 987 | 983 | 1207 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 1486 | 1522 | 1752 | 1247 | 1284 | 1492 | 894 | 938 | 1104 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 1605 | 1610 | 1877 | 1354 | 1364 | 1605 | 981 | 1004 | 1197 |
| Difference in Degree Day Accumulation from Mar. 1, 2026 observed June 23 and June 30, 2026; issued June 30, 2026 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station (County) | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 50°F | Degree Days Base 50°F | Degree Days Base 50°F |
| 23-Jun | 30-Jun | Difference | 23-Jun | 30-Jun | Difference | 23-Jun | 30-Jun | Difference | |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 1436 | 1610 | 174.0 | 1202 | 1354 | 152.0 | 857 | 975 | 118.0 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 1676 | 1872 | 196.0 | 1418 | 1593 | 175.0 | 1032 | 1172 | 140.0 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 1531 | 1708 | 177.0 | 1289 | 1444 | 155.0 | 930 | 1051 | 121.0 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 1314 | 1468 | 154.0 | 1094 | 1227 | 133.0 | 775 | 875 | 100.0 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 1525 | 1705 | 180.0 | 1288 | 1447 | 159.0 | 937 | 1061 | 124.0 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 1375 | 1545 | 170.0 | 1152 | 1301 | 149.0 | 823 | 936 | 113.0 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 1584 | 1777 | 193.0 | 1340 | 1512 | 172.0 | 979 | 1116 | 137.0 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 1489 | 1673 | 184.0 | 1256 | 1420 | 164.0 | 910 | 1039 | 129.0 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 1429 | 1595 | 166.0 | 1203 | 1348 | 145.0 | 871 | 982 | 111.0 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 1226 | 1381 | 155.0 | 1012 | 1146 | 134.0 | 707 | 806 | 99.0 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 1258 | 1416 | 158.0 | 1046 | 1183 | 137.0 | 738 | 840 | 102.0 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 1445 | 1615 | 170.0 | 1217 | 1366 | 149.0 | 883 | 997 | 114.0 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 1446 | 1620 | 174.0 | 1212 | 1365 | 153.0 | 869 | 987 | 118.0 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 1319 | 1486 | 167.0 | 1101 | 1247 | 146.0 | 783 | 894 | 111.0 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 1432 | 1605 | 173 | 1202 | 1354 | 152 | 864 | 981 | 117 |
Watch Jeff Andresen's weekly agricultural weather forecast reports
More information and reports on normal weather conditions and departures from normal can be found on the NOAA Climate Prediction Center website, NOAA U.S. Climate Normals website, NOAA Climate Normals Quick Access Page (which may be searched by region), and Midwest Regional Climate Center website.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program (grant no 2024-70006-43569) from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
