Michigan statewide apple maturity report – September 16, 2026
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EmailKeep abreast of the latest apple maturity testing done in different cultivars around the state to optimize harvest times for storage and fresh picking.
This report provides data to compare apple maturity across the state. This will include information from multiple regions, but if available you should consult a maturity report from your specific region. Regional reports will include more information, including updates on harvest extenders and pest and disease management.
Southwest Michigan
Apple harvest is progressing rapidly across the region. Honeycrisp is now overripe, while Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Jonathan are at harvest maturity, with some Jonathan already harvested and color continuing to improve. Later-season varieties including Evercrisp, Mutsu, and Northern Spy are not yet ready, with high firmness and low starch levels indicating additional time is needed before harvest.
View the predicted harvest dates for Southwest Michigan.
| Variety | Collection Date | Number | Weight | Red Color | Background | Ethylene | Firmness | Starch |
| Red Delicious | 9/14/2026 | 2 | 247 | 72.4 (69.5–75.2) | 2.6 (2.4–2.7) | 16.3 (16.3–16.4) | 3.4 (3.2–3.6) | 11.3 (11.0–11.5) |
| Golden Delicious | 9/14/2026 | 1 | 213 | 0.0 (0.0–0.0) | 4.2 (4.0–5.0) | 16.5 (14.4–19.1) | 4.6 (3.0–7.0) | 14.3 |
| Evercrisp | 9/14/2026 | 1 | 247 | 42.5 (25.0–70.0) | 4.5 (4.0–5.0) | 23.6 (20.6–25.8) | 1.5 (1.0–3.0) | 14.6 |
| Mutsu | 9/14/2026 | 1 | 275 | 1.5 (0.0–10.0) | 4.7 (4.0–5.0) | 18.2 (16.3–19.6) | 1.4 (1.0–2.0) | 11.4 |
| Northern Spy | 9/14/2026 | 1 | 215 | 8.5 (0.0–20.0) | 4.4 (4.0–5.0) | 20.7 (18.2–23.5) | 1.5 (1.0–2.0) | 11.4 |
| Jonathon | 9/14/2026 | 1 | 192 | 75.5 (65.0–85.0) | 2.7 (2.0–3.0) | 15.3 (14.2–17.4) | 4.3 (2.0–6.0) | 12.6 |
Southeast Michigan
While we are harvesting many cultivars it is important to remember that some late cultivars may need an additional fungicide treatment. In warmer parts of the region growers are finishing up ‘Spartan,’ continuing ‘Cortland’ and ‘Jonathan,’ and starting ‘Empire’ apples for fresh market sales. Coloring has been slow on varieties like ‘Empire’ and ‘Honeycrisp’ so some farms are waiting to harvest or extending the picking window.
View the predicted harvest dates for Southeast Michigan.
Northwest Michigan
Growers are still harvesting Premier Honeycrisp. Many growers are finished with first pick and are starting or completing their second pick now. Color has been variable across the board, and lots of fruit is under color compared to other years. Growers with the variety Minneiska are wrapping up harvest. Apple size is variable across orchards, but again this week, size does seem to be improving. Color for all varieties is also improving, but color continues to lag in all varieties. All varieties we tested this week are moving toward maturity, as would be expected.
View the predicted harvest dates for Northwest Michigan.
Apple maturity in northwest Michigan for apples collected on 9/14/26:
| Variety | Color % (range) | Firmness lbs. (range) | Starch (range) | Brix % (range) |
| Gala | 85.1% (20-100) | 20.4 (19-23) | 2.4 (1-6) | 11.1 (9.4-12.9) |
| Honeycrisp | 53.9 (10-95) | 18.5 (13.5-23) | 2.9 (1-7) | 11.0 (8.4-12.4) |
| McIntosh | 62.2% (5-100) | 18.3 (15.5-22) | 2.6 (1-4) | 10.0 (8.4-12.4) |
West Central Michigan
Some growers are harvesting Gala and Honeycrisp this week. Jonathan and Jonagold are mature at some locations. Empire and Rome are still immature. Rain will help improve fruit size which has been small at some locations. Cooler nights and sunny days will support red color development. While we’ve had cooler nights in the region, it’s been rainy and cloudy so color should improve with the sunny days that are predicted for the end of the week. Apple size and color is variable across orchards and even within a tree. Use preharvest management tools as needed to harvest fruit in a timely manner. Products like ReTain or Harvista can slow or pause fruit maturity and prevent premature fruit drop.
View the predicted harvest dates for West Central Michigan.
| Variety | Collection Date | Weight (g) | Red Color % | Background | Diameter (in) | Firmness (lb) | Starch | °Brix |
| Empire | 9/14/2026 | 148 (167.5-128) | 67 (95-30) | 3.8 (5-3) | 2.8 (3.09-2.52) | 18.4 (21.2-16.625) | 2.2 (6-1) | 11.2 (12-10) |
| Rome | 9/14/2026 | 154 (176.5-130) | 90. (100-50) | 4.1 (5-2) | 2.8 (3.09-2.62) | 23.0 (25.75-20.075) | 2.1 (3-1) | 10.4 (11-9.8) |
| Ambrosia | 9/14/2026 | 155 (174.5-135) | 44 (75-25) | 2.6 (4-2) | 2.8 (3.08-2.62) | 18.9 (23.3-15.375) | 1.8 (5-1) | 11.7 (12.6-10.8) |
| Jonathan | 9/14/2026 | 147 (147-146) | 86 (100-40) | 2.6 (4-1) | 2.8 (2.94-2.57) | 17.8 (21.925-14.35) | 3.7 (7-2) | 11.9 (12.2-11.6) |
| Jonagold | 9/14/2026 | 165 (173.5-147.5) | 86 (90.8-80.5) | 3.5 (3.7-3.3) | 2.9 (2.944-2.808) | 17.3 (18.315-16.115) | 3.1 (4.9-1.5) | 12.4 (13.6-11.2) |
| Honeycrisp | 9/14/2026 | 184 (198-170) | 66 (67-64.5) | 2.7 (3.15-2.2) | 3.1 (3.15-2.984) | 14.5 (14.655-14.35) | 6.6 (7.2-6) | 11.8 (12-11.6) |
| Golden Delicious | 9/14/2026 | 136 (136-136) | 27 (40-10) | 3.8 (4-3) | 2.6 (2.82-2.41) | 17.3 (18.25-15.75) | 3.4 (7-2) | 13.2 (13.2-13.2) |
| Red Delicious | 9/14/2026 | 142 (142-142) | 93 (100-85) | 4 (4-3) | 2.7 (2.89-2.54) | 17.0 (17.75-16.5) | 1.3 (2-1) | 10.6 (10.6-10.6) |
Grand Rapids region
Honeycrisp and Gala that haven’t been harvested are becoming overripe. Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Fuji are almost ready. Double check prediction dates and PHIs before applying Retain and Harvista.
View the predicted harvest dates for the Grand Rapids region.
| Variety | Collection Date | Weight (g) | Red Color % | Background | Diameter (in) | Firmness (lb) | Starch | °Brix |
| Brookfield Gala | 9/14/2026 | 370 (370-355) | 90 (100-60) | 1 (2-1) | 2.8 (3-2.6) | 17.8 (20-14.8) | 5.4 (8-3) | 14 (14-11) |
| Ambrosia | 14-Sep | 371 (400-330) | 54. (90-30) | 2.9 (4-2) | 2.9 (3.2-2.6) | 17.1 (22-13.1) | 3.2 (8-1) | 11.8 (12.3-10.3) |
| Fuji | 9/14/2026 | 388 (450-290) | 49 (80-25) | 3.2 (4-2) | . | 19.1 (24.8-16.2) | 2.0 (3-1) | 10.6 (10.1-10.1) |
| Red Delicious | 16-Sep | 380 (420-350) | 84 (100-50) | 1.5 (3-1) | 2.9 (3.1-2.6) | 18.5 (19-16) | 1.8 (6-1) | 10.1 (10-10) |
| Golden Delicious | 16-Sep | 328 (505-0) | . | . | . | . | . | 7.9 (11.5-0) |
Predicted harvest dates
Table 1. 2026 predicted peak harvest dates.
| Full bloom date 2026 | Predicted harvest date 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Table 2. 2026 predicted peak harvest dates compared to normal and last year.
| Days -/+ normal | Days -/+ last year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station | McIntosh | Jons | Reds | McIntosh | Jons | Reds |
| SWMREC | -18 | -15 | -15 | -10 | -12 | -11 |
| Deerfield | -18 | -15 | -24 | -6 | -12 | -10 |
| Romeo | -11 | 0 | -1 | -7 | 3 | 3 |
| Sparta | -16 | -6 | -11 | -10 | -3 | -4 |
| Hart | -7 | -3 | -4 | -8 | -3 | -3 |
| NWMHRS | -3 | 0 | -5 | 0 | -3 | -2 |
- Southwest
- Grand Rapids
- West Central
- Northwest Michigan
- Southeast Michigan does not have an independent apple maturity report
Check out the MSU Enviroweather Growing Degree Days (GDD) Michigan map. Find your closest weather station, create an account on the website, and track GDDs daily.
Maturity tables and summaries
Apple maturity sampling parameters
- Color % = the visual percentage of red color from 0 to 100; range is of all fruits tested
- Firmness in pounds pressure = measured with a Güss Fruit Texture Analyzer; range is of all fruits tested.
- Starch: 1 = all starch, 8 = No starch; range is of all fruits tested. Using Cornell Starch Iodine Index Chart. See the updated MSU starch chart.
- Brix = % sugar measured with Atago PAL-1 Pocket Refractometer
Table 3. Suggested firmness and starch index for long-term and shorter-term controlled atmosphere (CA) storage by variety.
| Variety | Firmness (lbs)* | Starch Index* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short CA | Mid-CA | Long CA | Mature | Over-mature | |
| McIntosh | 14 | 15 | 16 | 5 | 7 |
| Gala | 16 | 17 | 18 | 3 | 6 |
| Honeycrisp | 15 | 16 | 17 | 3.5 | 7 |
| Empire | 14 | 15 | 16 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Early Fuji | 16 | 17 | 18 | 3 | 7 |
| Jonagold | 15 | 16 | 17 | 3.5 | 5.5 |
| Jonathan | 14 | 15 | 16 | 3.5 | 5.5 |
| Golden Delicious | 15 | 16 | 17 | 3 | 6.5 |
| Red Delicious | 16 | 17 | 18 | 2.5 | 6 |
| Idared | 14 | 15 | 16 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Fuji | 16 | 17 | 18 | 3 | 7 |
| Rome | 15 | 16 | 18 | 3 | 5.5 |
| Braeburn | 16 | 17 | 18 | 2.5 | 7 |
Upcoming events
The Great Lakes Expo
The Great Lakes Expo, held annually in early December at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the largest show of its kind in the country. It attracts a diverse audience of apple growers from the Great Lakes region. Registration is open.
This year's Apple Sections take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 8-9. Details about the Apple 1 and Apple 2 sessions will be in next week’s update.
Sweet and Hard Cider: Tuesday Morning
Hard Cider
- Tess Van Gorder, Making Sense of Wastewater for Cider Producers: The Big Picture
- Eric Campbell, New Promotional Guide for Michigan Hard Cider
Sweet Cider
- Tess Van Gorder, Making Sense of Wastewater for Cider Producers: Practical Strategies & Lessons Learned
- Laura Campbell, Navigating Water Withdrawals: Registration, Use, and Reporting
Cider Contest: Wednesday afternoon
The cider contest will judge the best ciders produced by Michigan cider makers (only Michigan cider producers are eligible). Here are some important details for the contest:
To enter, cider producers must submit two 1-gallon cider jugs at the Exhibitor Registration desk in the Grand Gallery concourse in DeVos Place on Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 8 a.m. to noon. No entries will be accepted after noon on Wednesday.
Cider samples must be thawed by 1 p.m. on Wednesday (this is the responsibility of each cider producer, not the contest coordinator).
Cider contest judging will be on Wednesday afternoon. Judging will be held in one of the main-level Grand Gallery meeting rooms and will be open for viewing starting at 1:30 p.m.
The top five winners will be notified prior to the EXPO Social so they can be in attendance. Winners will be announced at the EXPO Social on Wednesday evening. First place receives a plaque and a traveling trophy. Second and third places receive a plaque.
Don't miss this valuable opportunity to connect with industry experts, gain valuable knowledge and explore the latest advancements in the apple industry.
We look forward to seeing you there!
To get a better sense of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo, check out this video.
Related articles
- The 2026 Michigan apple crop forecast, as given at the USApple Outlook meeting
- Predicted apple harvest dates for 2026 from MSU Extension.
- More information on harvest management tools and timings from MSU Extension.
- Post harvest treatments to extend apple life.
- Guidelines from MSU Extension to check for apple maturity in your own orchard, including specific pressure and starch recommendations by variety.
- Predicting apple maturity and starch chart from Cornell University.