2026 Predicted Apple Harvest Dates – Southeast Michigan Region
DOWNLOADJuly 29, 2026 - Derek Plotkowski and Emily Lavely, Michigan State University Extension
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EmailThe information below includes predicted dates for peak harvest. Actual harvest dates may begin before and extend after these dates, and it is likely to vary based on specific location and conditions. This information is intended to be used by commercial growers to start planning harvest management. Interpretation is necessary for marketing purposes and fruit may be available in retail locations at different times.
The predicted harvest dates for all Michigan State University Enviroweather Stations are now available online and can be determined using the Apple Maturity Model on the Enviroweather Website. These models for McIntosh, Jonathan, and Red Delicious calculate predict harvest dates based on full bloom date and the temperatures in the 30 days after bloom.
Most varieties appear to have early harvest dates. Bloom dates used for these predicted harvest dates were provided by MSU Enviroweather which are earlier than some of the observed bloom dates. Harvest dates will need to be adjusted as we get closer to harvest depending on temperatures leading up to harvest. There may be additional variation in apple maturity this season due to the extended bloom period and variable temperatures this spring. This year, it will be particularly important to test maturity block by block and to begin testing early.
Crop load. Blocks with light croploads will mature 3 or 4 days sooner than the predicted harvest dates while heavy crop loads will mature 7 days later than the predicted dates.
Conditions during August and September will also affect harvest dates. If hot stressful weather occurs in August or September, apple maturity will be advanced, especially in early to mid-ripening cultivars.
Stop-drop materials. ReTain application can be be applied 28, 21, 14, or 7 DBH (days before harvest). Harvista can be applied 3 to 7 DBH. Use Table 3 and Table 4, 2026 Predicted Harvest Dates for Other Varieties, to time ReTain applications and adjust for varieties and locations.
The tables below list the normal and predicted harvest dates for varieties across the state. Table 1 lists the predicted harvest dates for locations across the state of Michigan for 2026. Table 2 lists this year’s predictions compared to normal and last year. Tables 3 and 4 lists a variety by variety guide based of Romeo and Deerfield locations.
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Table 1. 2026 Full bloom dates and predicted peak harvest dates |
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Full bloom date 2026 |
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Predicted harvest date 2026 |
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Station |
McIntosh |
Jons |
Reds |
McIntosh |
Jons |
Reds |
Observer |
|
|
SWMREC* |
15-Apr |
16-Apr |
16-Apr |
23-Aug |
7-Sep |
13-Sep |
MSU EW |
|
|
Deerfield* |
16-Apr |
16-Apr |
17-Apr |
23-Aug |
6-Sep |
14-Sep |
MSU EW |
|
|
Romeo* |
27-Apr |
29-Apr |
30-Apr |
2-Sep |
25-Sep |
2-Oct |
MSU EW |
|
|
Sparta* |
24-Apr |
25-Apr |
25-Apr |
31-Aug |
20-Sep |
26-Sep |
MSU EW |
|
|
Hart* |
6-May |
9-May |
11-May |
9-Sep |
30-Sep |
6-Oct |
MSU EW |
|
|
NWMHRS* |
19-May |
22-May |
22-May |
|
19-Sep |
6-Oct |
12-Oct |
MSU EW |
*Dates indicated by model, not by actual observation.
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Table 2. 2026 predicted peak harvest dates compared to normal and last year. |
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Days –/+ normal* |
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Days -/+ last year* |
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Station |
McIntosh |
Jons |
Reds |
McIntosh |
Jons |
Reds |
|
|
SWMREC |
-8 |
-3 |
-4 |
7 |
9 |
7 |
|
|
Deerfield |
-12 |
-3 |
-14 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
Romeo |
-4 |
-3 |
-4 |
9 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
Sparta |
-6 |
-3 |
-7 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
Hart |
1 |
0 |
-1 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
|
|
NWMHRS |
-3 |
3 |
-3 |
|
8 |
13 |
12 |
* - is days earlier, + is days later
*Normal harvest dates in this table were determined from average observations by industry members in the region.
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Table 3. Normal and predicted 2026 peak harvest dates for varieties for Southeast MI based on Romeo, MI |
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Variety |
Normal |
Predicted |
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Paulared |
22-Aug |
11-Aug |
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Zestar |
22-Aug |
11-Aug |
|
Gingergold |
23-Aug |
12-Aug |
|
Gala |
8-Sep |
28-Aug |
|
McIntosh |
13-Sep |
2-Sep |
|
Honeycrisp |
16-Sep |
5-Sep |
|
Empire |
20-Sep |
20-Sep |
|
Jonathan |
23-Sep |
25-Sep |
|
Jonagold |
23-Sep |
23-Sep |
|
Early Fuji |
25-Sep |
25-Sep |
|
Golden Delicious |
29-Sep |
29-Sep |
|
Red Delicious |
1-Oct |
2-Oct |
|
Idared |
6-Oct |
5-Oct |
|
Rome |
11-Oct |
10-Oct |
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Late Fuji |
22-Oct |
21-Oct |
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Braeburn |
23-Oct |
22-Oct |
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Goldrush |
31-Oct |
30-Oct |
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Table 4. Normal and 2026 peak harvest dates for varieties for the SE area based on Deerfield, MI |
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Variety |
Normal |
Predicted |
|
Paulared |
22-Aug |
4-Aug |
|
Zestar |
22-Aug |
4-Aug |
|
Gingergold |
23-Aug |
5-Aug |
|
Gala |
8-Sep |
21-Aug |
|
McIntosh |
13-Sep |
23-Aug |
|
Honeycrisp |
16-Sep |
29-Aug |
|
Empire |
20-Sep |
5-Sep |
|
Jonathan |
23-Sep |
6-Sep |
|
Jonagold |
23-Sep |
8-Sep |
|
Early Fuji |
25-Sep |
10-Sep |
|
Golden Delicious |
29-Sep |
14-Sep |
|
Red Delicious |
1-Oct |
14-Sep |
|
Idared |
6-Oct |
12-Sep |
|
Rome |
11-Oct |
17-Sep |
|
Braeburn |
23-Oct |
29-Sep |
|
Goldrush |
31-Oct |
7-Oct |
