Southeast Michigan Fruit Update Week of July 1

By Andi Anderson

This is the 13th in-season fruit update for Southeast Michigan for 2025. The past week brought hot temperatures and moderate rainfall, with similar humid weather expected through the coming days. Highs will stay in the 80s and 90s, with chances of thunderstorms on July 6–7.

Fruit Conditions:

Growers are actively harvesting sweet cherries, tart cherries, raspberries, early blueberries, and Rich May peaches. Strawberry harvest has ended, with yields varying across farms.

Apples:

Most varieties are past June drop. While the apple scab risk has ended, powdery mildew poses a severe threat. Honeycrisp apples are developing steadily.

Blueberries:

Early varieties are being spot picked. The main concern is spotted wing drosophila (SWD), which continues to appear in cherry orchards.

Brambles:

Summer raspberries are being harvested, while blackberries are at fruit set. Fall raspberries are starting to bloom.

Cherries:

Both sweet and tart cherry harvests are underway.

Grapes:

Grapes are at pea size to berry touch. Powdery mildew remains a high risk this week.

Peaches and Nectarines:

Fruit is at the pit-hardening stage. Rich May peaches have already been harvested in some counties.

Pears and Plums:

Bartlett pears are expanding, with some reaching 50 mm in diameter. Adult pear psylla is present. Plums like Shiro and Italian varieties are also at the hard pit stage.

Pests and Diseases:

Apple aphids and codling moths are active, with codling moth stings observed. European apple sawfly, grape berry moth, and obliquebanded leafroller numbers are decreasing. San Jose scale crawlers are appearing, and powdery mildew risk is high for apples, pears, and grapes this week.

Weather and Degree Days:

Rainfall is above the five-year average, with the region gaining 178 growing degree days (GDD) at base 50°F over the last week. Growing conditions remain strong.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu