Michigan statewide apple maturity report – September 30, 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
‘Evercrisp’ is mature and ready to pick for controlled atmosphere (CA) and long-term storage. ‘Fuji’ and ‘Northern Spy’ are mature and ready to be harvested. ‘IdaRed’ is getting very close to maturity, and advanced blocks may be ready for harvest within the week.
View the predicted harvest dates for Southwest Michigan.
| Variety | Collection Date | Weight (g) | Red Color % | Background | Firmness (lb) | Starch | °Brix |
| Fuji | 9/29/2026 | 195 | 42.5 (20.0–60.5) | 3.8 (3.0–5.0) | 17.3 (14.7 – 22.2) | 3.5 (2.0 – 6.0) | 14.6 |
| Northern Spy | 9/29/2026 | 194 | 25.0 (5.0–50.0) | 4.4 (4.0–5.0) | 18.4 (15.3–23.5) | 4.4 (3.0–6.0) | 13.2 |
| Evercrisp | 9/29/2026 | 244 (214–273) | 62.5 (52.0–73.0) | 4.0 (3.7–4.3) | 22.1 (22.0–22.2) | 2.9 (2.7–3.0) | 15.9 (15.2–16.5) |
| Idared | 9/29/2026 | 216 | 58.0 (45.0–75.0) | 3.8 (3.0–5.0) | 15.8 (13.6–19.4) | 2.9 (2.0–7.0) | 12.4 |
| Braeburn | 9/29/2026 | 278 | 21.0 (5.0–35.0) | 4.3 (2.0–5.0) | 24.7 (20.9–28.8) | 1.9 (1.0–2.0) | 12.7 |
Southeast Michigan
U-pick farms have opened up blocks of ‘Red Delicious’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ and continuing on with ‘Empire.’ Farms in warmer areas are starting first picks of ‘Northern Spy’ and are getting ready for ‘IdaRed.’
View the predicted harvest dates for Southeast Michigan.
Northwest Michigan
Growers are moving through harvest with the recent good stretch of weather. Gala, McIntosh, and Honeycrisp harvest is underway. Fruit quality looks excellent with some recent cooler nights and sunny days.
View the predicted harvest dates for Northwest Michigan.
Apple maturity in northwest Michigan for apples collected on 9/28/26:
| Variety | Color % (range) | Firmness lbs. (range) | Starch (range) | Brix % (range) |
| Gala | 87.8% (70-100) | 20.2 (17-21.5) | 4.9 (3-8) | 11.3 (9.9-12.4) |
| Honeycrisp | 64.8% (20-95) | 15.2 (13-19) | 5.7 (4-8) | 11.9 (9.1-15.8) |
| McIntosh | 40% (0-80) | 16.2 (13-18.5) | 4.9 (3-7) | 10.3 (8.5-11.2) |
| Evercrisp | 56% (40-80) | 20.5 (20-21) | 1.8 (1-4) | 12.4 (10.1-14.7) |
West Central Michigan
Many growers are still waiting on coloration to pick. Growers are pushing to the end of ‘Jonagold’ harvest. ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Red Delicious’ are just about ready for harvest. ‘Mutsu’ size and sugar is increasing and they will be ready to pick in the next week or so along with ‘IdaRed.’ ‘Evercisp’ size seems on the small side and they are still very firm, but growers are preparing to pick in early October. Apple size and color are 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 |
| Evercrisp | 9/28/2026 | 205 (247-179) | 66.6 (90-30) | 3.1 (4.5-2) | 3.0 (3.4-2.6) | 23.0 (26.1-20.1) | 2.4 (5-1) | 13.9 (15.2-13.4) |
| Fuji | 9/28/2026 | 197 (211-184) | 73.8 (95-30) | 3.0 (4-2) | 3.0 (3.3-2.8) | 17.7 (19.9-16.3) | 2.8 (5-2) | 12.4 (12.8-12) |
| Golden Delish | 9/28/2026 | 174 (198-149) | 29.3 (50-10) | 2.8 (3-2) | 3.0 (3.5-2.6) | 16.7 (19.3-14.5) | 3.3 (6-2) | 14.2 (14.8-13.2) |
| Ida Red | 9/28/2026 | 176 (219-138) | 75.2 (99-40) | 2.7 (3.5-1) | 3.0 (3.3-2.8) | 17.6 (19.7-15.1) | 2.7 (4-1) | 11.7 (12-11) |
| Jonagold | 9/28/2026 | 197 (197-197) | 91.7 (91.7-91.7) | 1.8 (1.8-1.8) | 3.0 (3.0-3.0) | 16.4 (16.4-16.4) | 6.2 (6.2-6.2) | 12.6 (12.6-12.6) |
| Mutsu | 9/28/2026 | 375 (431-319) | 16.8 (20-13.5) | 3.6 (4.1-3.1) | 3.6 (3.7-3.5) | 18.7 (18.7-18.6) | 2.2 (2.2-2.1) | 12.5 (12.6-12.4) |
| Pink Lady | 9/28/2026 | 171 (171-171) | 47.5 (70-30) | 2.7 (3-2.5) | 2.9 (3.1-2.8) | 20.1 (21.4-17.4) | 2.5 (4-2) | 13.4 (13.4-13.4) |
| Red Delish | 9/28/2026 | 182 (188-177) | 87.7 (100-60) | 2.2 (3-1) | 2.9 (3.0-2.6) | 18.4 (20.0-16.4) | 2.2 (3-1) | 11.8 (12-11.6) |
| Rome | 9/28/2026 | 131 (131-131) | . | . | . | . | . | (11.4-0) |
Grand Rapids region
Growers are picking Melinda McIntosh and are getting started on ‘Red Delicious.’ ‘Golden Delicious,’ ‘Fuji,’ and ‘IdaRed’ are getting close. ‘Ambrosia’ is not quite ready and ‘Evercrisp’ is on the horizon. 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 |
| Rome | 9/28/2026 | 140 (420-0) | . | . | . | . | . | . |
| Fuji | 9/28/2026 | 463 (490-410) | 75 (95-71) | 2.7 (4-2) | 3.1 (3.5-3.0) | 16.1 (19.2-14.7) | 4.2 (8-2.8) | 11.0 (12.7-0) |
| Idared | 9/28/2026 | 450 (510-381) | 79 (100-76) | 3.3 (5-2.8) | 3.1 (3.5-3.0) | 16.1 (18.1-15.3) | 2.3 (3-2) | 12.0 (13.1-0) |
| Evercrisp | 9/28/2026 | 445 (483-423) | 71 (95-58) | 4.3 (5-3.6) | 3.0 (3.2-2.9) | 25.0 (28.7-23.8) | 1.5 (3-1.2) | 12.3 (12.4-0) |
| Cameo | 9/28/2026 | 420 (420-0) | . | . | . | . | . | 10.2 (10.2-0) |
| Ambrosia | 9/28/2026 | 481 (520-452) | 66 (90-60.5) | 2.3 (3-2) | 3.0 (3.5-3.0) | 17.9 (20.8-17.0) | 3.2 (4-3.1) | 12.1 (13.8-0) |
| Red | 9/29/2026 | 439 (469-409) | 90 (95-55) | 1.4 (2-1) | 2.9 (3.1-2.7) | 16.4 (18.2-15) | 2.4 (4-1) | 10.4 (10.7-10) |
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
- 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.
Apple 1: Tuesday Afternoon
- Julianna Wilson, Apple Entomology Update for 2026: What’s New, What Continues to Be Challenging?
- Monique Rivera, Detangling Woolly Apple Aphids and Other Pests: What Works and What Doesn't
- Grower Panel, Mating Disruption in the Orchard
- Todd Feenstra, Water Districts - Building Communities of Good Water Stewards
- Todd Einhorn, Physiology of Freeze Damage in Apple and Horticultural Updates
Apple 2: Wednesday Afternoon
- George Sundin, Summarizing Eight Years of Data with Apogee/Actigard for Shoot Blight Management
- Daniel Uyeh, FarmSCOPE: A Closer Look at Every Acre
- Dirk Boone and Amy Irish-Brown, Drones in Tree Fruit: What We Know and Don't Know
- Grower Panel, Focus on Orchard Technology
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.