Southeast Michigan fruit update – May 6, 2026
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EmailBloom timing has been uneven across the region. Now is the time to protect pollinators during bloom.
Welcome to the sixth 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, cool temperatures slowed down bloom in much of the region. We had some frost risk on Friday and Saturday mornings last week, but temperatures didn’t get quite low enough to be damaging. We expect another week of mostly dry and cool conditions with some scattered showers late in the week. These conditions may extend bloom time and much like last week there will be more wind than usual, which is a challenge for spraying.
Many of you will have already done spring weed control, but if not, this 2020 article on spring herbicide applications from Michigan State University Extension lists some available options.
This year, our weekly integrated pest management (IPM) updates have returned to the 2023 and 2024 format of Tuesday evening virtual meetings covering both small fruit and tree fruit in southeast and southwest Michigan. You can register online at 2026 South Michigan Fruit IPM Updates. It is a good opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions and receive restricted use pesticide (RUP) credits. See the latest weekly fruit meetings for southern Michigan on MSU’s Kaltura Media Space (these may take a few days to upload after the meetings are held).
Fruit-by-fruit conditions
Apples: Apples in the region are mostly between full bloom and petal fall, though late blooming cultivars like Northern Spy are at first bloom. Green tip in McIntosh was observed on April 1 Romeo, setting the biofix for apple scab. This will be used as the biofix for monitoring apple scab. At full pink, first bloom, full bloom and post bloom, the critical temperatures are 28 F for 10% kill and 25 F for 90% kill.
Frost damaged apples can be set with plant growth regulators if necessary.
Blueberries: We are first bloom in early blueberry cultivars like Jersey in Hartland, while later cultivars are in late pink bud. This is the primary risk period for mummy berry and it is time to start paying attention to phomopsis. FRAC 3 fungicides are reported to be efficacious for both mummy berry and phomopsis. At late pink bud the critical temperature range is 24-27 F and at full bloom damage is seen at 28 F.
Brambles: We are seeing tight cluster in summer raspberries, new shoot growth in fall raspberries, and leafing out in blackberries.
Cherries: We are seeing full bloom in tart cherries in most areas and petal fall in sweets. At first bloom and full bloom the critical temperatures for tart cherries are 28 F for 10% kill and 24 F for 90% kill. From first bloom to petal fall the critical temperatures for sweet cherries are 28 F for 10% kill and 25 F for 90% kill.
Grapes: We are seeing some bud burst in hybrid wine grapes like Marquette in Ray Township and first leaves in table and juice grapes in Britton. At bud burst the critical temperatures are 25 F for 10% kill and 16 F for 90% kill. At first leaf the critical temperatures are 27 F for 10% kill and 21 F for 90% kill.
Peaches and nectarines: Peaches in warmer parts of the region have hit petal fall while in cooler parts of the region they are in full bloom. At some sites in the region, we are seeing secondary buds bloom in orchards where primary buds were lost. This is a good opportunity to look at trees that have slower-developing buds to see where winter damage may have occurred. At first bloom the critical temperatures are 26 F for 10% kill and 21 F for 90% kill. At full bloom the critical temperatures are 27 F for 10% kill and 24 F for 90% kill.
Pears: Pears observed in Britton were at petal fall, while cooler parts of the region have hit full bloom. There seems to be a wide variation in bloom patterns depending on cultivar and the specific locations of farms. At first bloom the critical temperatures are 27 F for 10% kill and 23 F for 90% kill. From full bloom to petal fall the critical temperatures are 28 F for 10% kill and 24 F for 90% kill.
Plums: Japanese style plums are finishing petal fall while European style plums are hitting petal fall now. From full bloom to petal fall the critical temperatures are 28 F for 10% kill and 23 F for 90% kill. Prune out black knot and dispose of the knots by burning or removing them from the orchard. Sanitation is an important step in managing this disease.
Strawberries: We are seeing first blooms in strawberries in Hartland, with some new leaf development. Most growers have removed straw. Early season fungicides should focus on controlling leaf spot.
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).
Codling moth: First catches have been reported in southeast Michigan and northern Ohio as of April 29. Catches in consecutive weeks are required to establish biofix.
Grape berry moth: Numbers were down in Fennville, which may be attributed to low temperatures.
Green fruit worm: Catches continue in Fennville and southeast Michigan. These can be controlled with insecticides post-bloom.
Oriental fruit moth: Biofix was set in Romeo for April 22 (April 13 in Fennville). Numbers are down, but if you have high catches, you can use ovicidal or larvicidal products (see the Enviroweather model with biofix).
Pear psylla: Eggs continue hatching, but no catches reported.
Plum curculio: Were caught two weeks ago at Trevor Nichols, but last week there were none detected, likely because the low temperatures reduced migration. This is the timing for Avaunt in tart cherry and we will hit that timing in apple soon.
San Jose scale: Some males have been caught in southeast Michigan. The next time to control is when crawlers emerge in early summer.
Disease conditions
Apple scab: Biofix is set at green tip in McIntosh, which happened March 31. Early control of scab is important for reducing secondary scab infections that can affect fruit. We are not expecting high risk this week.
Black knot: There is still time to prune out and burn black knot in plums and sour cherries. Fungicides may be used for limited control to supplement pruning and sanitation efforts.
Brown rot: This disease affects stone fruit and can proliferate during bloom, which is happening now in stone fruit. You can read this article about brown rot control options. Fungicides may be necessary to control if bloom is during a warm period, especially in orchards that have had brown rot presence in previous seasons. We are not expecting high risk this week.
Cherry leaf spot: We are not expecting high cherry leaf spot risk in the next week, though conditions could become favorable for its proliferation. See this 2024 article on cherry leaf spot management.
Fire blight: We are in bloom and there is low to moderate fire blight risk in apples and pears throughout the week.
Grape black rot: Control for grape black rot usually begins at 1-inch shoot length, and we are there in our warmest areas. See this 2014 article for grape black rot management options and consult E-154.
Mummy berry: We are in the primary season for mummy berry infections. See E2846 for control methods.
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 some risk from May 10-12.
Seasonal weather update
In the last week, southeast Michigan saw on average about 10.6 hours of rain accumulating to roughly 0.3 inches of precipitation. Our minimum temperatures at the end of last week did not get as low as forecasted and there wasn’t much risk for damage.
| Liquid Precipitation Accumulation Mar. 1- May 5, 2026, issued May 5, 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station (County) | Rainfall Total (in.) Current | Hours with Rainfall Current | Rainfall Total Average (5 Yr.) | Hours with Rainfall Average (5 Yr.) |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 9.3 | 134 | 5.8 | 127 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 10.0 | 142 | 5.8 | 124 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 10.5 | 140 | 6.3 | 129 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 9.0 | 139 | 5.4 | 120 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 9.8 | 140 | 5.8 | 128 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 10.0 | 132 | . | . |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 10.2 | 146 | 5.9 | 122 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 12.1 | 143 | 5.4 | 120 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 10.3 | 144 | 5.1 | 129 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 10.8 | 151 | 5.2 | 114 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 9.0 | 147 | 4.7 | 120 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 10.7 | 142 | 5.4 | 115 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 8.3 | 117 | 5.6 | 120 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 8.9 | 129 | 5.1 | 118 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 9.9 | 139.0 | 5.5 | 122.0 |
| Difference in Liquid Precipitation Accumulation from Mar. 1 observed April 28 and May 5, 2026; issued May 5, 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall Total (in.) | Rainfall Total (in.) | Hours with Rainfall | Hours with Rainfall | |||
| Station (County) | Apr. 28 | 5-May | Difference | Apr. 28 | 5-May | Difference |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 8.9 | 9.3 | 0.4 | 118 | 134 | 16.0 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 9.2 | 10.0 | 0.8 | 120 | 142 | 22.0 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 10.3 | 10.5 | 0.3 | 128 | 140 | 12.0 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 9.0 | 9.0 | 0.1 | 134 | 139 | 5.0 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 9.7 | 9.8 | 0.1 | 131 | 140 | 9.0 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 9.9 | 10.0 | 0.1 | 126 | 132 | 6.0 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 8.9 | 10.2 | 1.3 | 120 | 146 | 26.0 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 11.7 | 12.1 | 0.3 | 130 | 143 | 13.0 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 10.2 | 10.3 | 0.1 | 139 | 144 | 5.0 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 10.5 | 10.8 | 0.3 | 143 | 151 | 8.0 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 8.8 | 9.0 | 0.2 | 143 | 147 | 4.0 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 10.5 | 10.7 | 0.1 | 134 | 142 | 8.0 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 8.2 | 8.3 | 0.2 | 110 | 117 | 7.0 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 8.6 | 8.9 | 0.2 | 122 | 129 | 7.0 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 9.6 | 9.9 | 0.3 | 128.4 | 139.0 | 10.6 |
In the short term, we are expecting cool, dry and windy conditions for most of the week. Highs will be in the high 50s to low 60s. Lows will go between the 30s and 40s for most of the next week but we don’t expect risk for frost.
In the medium term, we are expecting temperatures to be near to above normal and precipitation totals to be normal to below normal. The long lead outlooks are calling for both temperature and precipitation to be near normal.
Our regional average growing degree day accumulation for the season are about two weeks ahead of the long-term normals and about a week ahead of the five-year average. In the last week, we accumulated on average 56 GDD at 42 F, 42 GDD at 45 F and 24 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-May 5, 2026 Forecast from May 6- May 12, 2026; issued May 5, 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) | 477 | 374 | 542 | 377 | 286 | 425 | 246 | 175 | 269 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 615 | 466 | 688 | 497 | 363 | 552 | 331 | 230 | 360 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 535 | 407 | 601 | 429 | 314 | 478 | 284 | 195 | 309 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 406 | 354 | 465 | 316 | 269 | 359 | 199 | 161 | 219 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 510 | 417 | 575 | 409 | 323 | 457 | 272 | 203 | 296 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 397 | 351 | 457 | 311 | 267 | 355 | 194 | 163 | 217 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 566 | 411 | 634 | 458 | 319 | 509 | 307 | 202 | 333 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 467 | 381 | 528 | 372 | 292 | 418 | 246 | 179 | 269 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 487 | 396 | 548 | 392 | 306 | 436 | 263 | 192 | 285 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 327 | 299 | 383 | 247 | 224 | 288 | 146 | 133 | 167 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 341 | 307 | 393 | 263 | 230 | 299 | 160 | 137 | 176 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 447 | 381 | 509 | 357 | 293 | 402 | 236 | 179 | 260 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 465 | 375 | 531 | 366 | 286 | 415 | 236 | 174 | 261 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 386 | 334 | 437 | 301 | 253 | 336 | 187 | 153 | 202 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 459 | 375 | 521 | 364 | 288 | 409 | 236 | 177 | 259 |
| Difference in Degree Day Accumulation from Mar. 1, 2026 observed April 28 and May 5, 2026; issued May 5, 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 |
| Apr. 28 | 5-May | Difference | Apr. 21 | 5-May | Difference | Apr. 28 | 5-May | Difference | |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 425 | 477 | 52.0 | 340 | 377 | 37.0 | 225 | 246 | 21.0 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 553 | 615 | 62.0 | 450 | 497 | 47.0 | 305 | 331 | 26.0 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 479 | 535 | 56.0 | 388 | 429 | 41.0 | 261 | 284 | 23.0 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 353 | 406 | 53.0 | 277 | 316 | 39.0 | 177 | 199 | 22.0 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 451 | 510 | 59.0 | 365 | 409 | 44.0 | 247 | 272 | 25.0 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 339 | 397 | 58.0 | 267 | 311 | 44.0 | 170 | 194 | 24.0 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 511 | 566 | 55.0 | 417 | 458 | 41.0 | 284 | 307 | 23.0 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 411 | 467 | 56.0 | 331 | 372 | 41.0 | 223 | 246 | 23.0 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 428 | 487 | 59.0 | 347 | 392 | 45.0 | 237 | 263 | 26.0 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 275 | 327 | 52.0 | 208 | 247 | 39.0 | 125 | 146 | 21.0 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 288 | 341 | 53.0 | 224 | 263 | 39.0 | 138 | 160 | 22.0 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 389 | 447 | 58.0 | 312 | 357 | 45.0 | 210 | 236 | 26.0 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 407 | 465 | 58.0 | 323 | 366 | 43.0 | 211 | 236 | 25.0 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 333 | 386 | 53.0 | 261 | 301 | 40.0 | 165 | 187 | 22.0 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 403 | 459 | 56 | 322 | 364 | 42 | 213 | 236 | 24 |
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.
