Southeast Michigan fruit update – July 1, 2025

Cherry harvest continues while we see the first blueberry harvest and earliest peaches.

Blueberries ripening at Spicer Orchards in Hartland, Michigan, on July 1, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension.

Welcome to the 13th in-season fruit article update for southeast Michigan for the 2025 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 

The last week has been hot with moderate rainfall, and we expect the mugginess to continue. Temperatures in the next week are expected to stay in the 80s to 90s with the chance for storms Sunday and Monday, July 6-7. Growers continue harvesting sweet cherries, tart cherries and raspberries. We’ve seen harvests of the first blueberries and peaches this season (Rich May, a very early cultivar). Strawberry harvest has largely concluded.  

Our weekly integrated pest management updates wrapped up last week. You can watch recordings of the fruit meetings for southern Michigan on MSU’s Kaltura Media Space (these may take a few days to upload after the meetings are held) at the small fruit channel and the tree fruit channel. 

Fruit-by-fruit conditions 

Apples 

Most varieties have passed June drop around the region. While we have passed primary scab season, there is severe risk for powdery mildew infections all week. 

Apple_Honeycrisp_Tollgate_June27.JPEG
Honeycrisp apples at the MSU Tollgate Farm in Novi, Michigan, on June 27, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Blueberries 

Farms are doing their first spot picks of ripe blueberries for early varieties. The main concern at this time of the season is spotted wing drosophila. 

Blueberry2_Spicers_July1_2025.JPEG
Blueberries coloring in Hartland, Michigan, on July 1, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Brambles 

Harvest of summer raspberries continues while blackberries are at fruit set. Black raspberry harvest will be starting soon. Fall raspberries are starting to flower at some locations. 

Raspberry_Fall_Bloom_Spicers_July1_2025.JPEG
Fall raspberries flowering in Hartland, Michigan, on July 1, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Cherries 

Harvest continues in both sweet and tart cherries. 

Cherry_Sweet_Kapnicks_June18_2025 (1).JPEG
Sweet cherry ready to harvest in Britton, Michigan, on June 24, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Grapes 

Many grapes are at pea size, with some approaching berry touch. Fruit set seems good. Grape powdery mildew risk is high this week.  

Grape_Concord_Spicers_July1_2025.JPEG
Concord grapes anear berry touch in Hartland, Michigan, on July 1, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Peaches and nectarines 

Peaches are at pit hardening. Rich May, one of the earliest peach cultivars, has been harvested in Lenawee County. 

Peach_HardPit_Kreps_June27.JPEG
Peach fruit with a hard pit in La Salle, Michigan, on June 27, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Pears 

Pears are expanding and have passed June drop, with pears in Hartland at 50 millimeters (mm) in diameter. Adult pear psylla has been reported. 

Pear_Bartlett_50mm_Spicers_July1_2025.JPEG
Bartlett pear fruit at 50 mm diameter fruit set in Hartland, Michigan, on July 1, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Plums 

Shiro and Italian plums in Romeo were at pit hardening. 

Plum_Italian_HardPit_Verellen_June26_2025.JPEG
Italian plum with hard pit in Romeo, MI on June 26, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Strawberries 

Harvest has largely wrapped up. Yield was spotty, with some farms having a normal yield and others with low yield. Renovation should proceed as soon after harvest as possible. You can read this 2023 article on strawberry renovation. 

Strawberry_Verellen_June26_2025.JPEG
Strawberry fruits ready for harvest in Romeo, Michigan, on June 26, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

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). 

Aphids: Green apple aphid  and woolly apple aphids are climbing with woolly apple aphids primarily on trunks but starting to move to terminals. 

Codling moth: Counts are dropping in the southeast, but staying stable in Fennville, Michigan. Some codling moth stings have been observed regionally. We have passed the point to use larvicidal products. Seethisarticle for best management practices.    

European apple sawfly: Some damage from has been reported regionally.  

Grape berry moth: Counts are down in southeast Michigan but grape berry moth are still being caught at the Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville. Read this article on early season grape berry moth control. 

Obliquebanded leafroller: Catches are down, with counts mostly below 20 in southeast Michigan. 

Oriental fruit moth: Counts are low but starting to climb again in southeast Michigan and at the Trevor Nichols Research Center. Some areas are still between generations while the second generation has started in others. 

Pear psylla: Adults have been observed regionally along with some damage. Egg hatch continues. 

Plum curculio: Catches have stopped as adult migration closes. 

San Jose scale: Crawlers have been spotted in the region and can be targeted in a cover spray. Waxing up has not been observed but is likely to come soon. 

Spotted wing drosophila: Females have been caught in southeast Michigan cherry orchards. The hot and humid conditions are likely encouraging their growth. If you have susceptible crops, you should assess fruit for larvae. 

Disease conditions 

Apple scab: Models indicate no remaining spores and the end of primary scab season. Very little scab has been reported, indicating low risk for secondary scab.  

Brown rot: Fungicides may used again about three weeks before harvest in stone fruit (some plums and early peaches at this point). 

Cherry leaf spot: Risk is not anticipated for additional cherry leaf spot infections this week. See this article on cherry leaf spot management. 

Fire blight: Strikes have been reported in southeast Michigan in orchards with susceptible varieties and a history of fire blight, but these seem to be isolated. 

Grape black rot: Control for grape black rot usually begins at 1-inch shoot length. We do not anticipate risk for new infections this week. See this article for grape black rot management options and consultE0154. 

Grape downy mildew: We do not anticipate risk for new infections this week. 

Phomopsis: In blueberries, the Phomopsis fungus is active from bud swell until after harvest. 

Powdery mildew of apple and pear: Some powdery mildew has already been reported in the region, though treatments seem to have been effective at keeping it under control. Anticipated risk is high to severe in the next week from July 2-8. 

Powdery mildew of grape: Severe risk anticipated from July 2-8. 

Seasonal weather update 

In the last week, southeast Michigan has seen on average 10 hours of rain accumulating to roughly 1 inch of precipitation. We are about 2.7 inches ahead of the five-year average in amount and 21 hours of rainfall ahead of the average. 

Station (County) Rainfall Total (in.) Current Hours with Rainfall Current Rainfall Total Average (5 Yr.) Hours with Rainfall Average (5 Yr.)
Commerce (Oakland) 11.9 212 10.8 205
Deerfield (Monroe) 13.1 208 10.8 194
East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) 12.9 265 11.0 207
Emmett (St. Clair) 13.5 196 10.0 200
Flint (Genesee) 12.9 265 11.0 207
Freeland (Saginaw) 10.9 195 . .
Hudson (Lenawee) 13.3 226 10.6 192
Ithaca (Gratiot) 11.4 209 9.8 190
Lapeer (Lapeer) 14.2 222 9.1 208
Linwood (Bay) 10.1 201 9.4 185
Pigeon (Huron) 12.5 248 8.3 184
Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) 14.8 221 9.6 186
Romeo (Macomb) 14.6 202 11.3 195
Sandusky (Sanilac) 12.1 190 8.7 215
Average of stations in this region: 12.7 218.6 10.0 197.5

 

Difference in Liquid Precipitation Accumulation from Mar. 1 observed June 24 and July 1, 2025; issued July 1, 2025
  Rainfall Total (in.) Rainfall Total (in.)   Hours with Rainfall Hours with Rainfall  
Station (County) 24-Jun 1-Jul Difference 24-Jun 1-Jul Difference
Commerce (Oakland) 11.4   -11.4 206   -206.0
Deerfield (Monroe) 12.5   -12.5 201   -201.0
East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) 11.5   -11.5 214   -214.0
Emmett (St. Clair) 12.6   -12.6 189   -189.0
Flint (Genesee) 12.8   -12.8 258   -258.0
Freeland (Saginaw) 10.1   -10.1 191   -191.0
Hudson (Lenawee) 12.9   -12.9 222   -222.0
Ithaca (Gratiot) 10.8   -10.8 202   -202.0
Lapeer (Lapeer) 13.5   -13.5 213   -213.0
Linwood (Bay) 9.3   -9.3 193   -193.0
Pigeon (Huron) 8.0   -8.0 243   -243.0
Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) 13.6   -13.6 213   -213.0
Romeo (Macomb) 14.1   -14.1 197   -197.0
Sandusky (Sanilac) 10.8   -10.8 180   -180.0
Average of stations in this region: 11.7 #DIV/0! -11.7 208.7 #DIV/0! -208.7

In the short term, we are expecting hot and humid conditions with scattered storms on Sunday and Monday. High temperatures will stay in the upper 80s to low 90s with lows ranging from the upper 50s to the low 70s. 

In the medium term, we are expecting above normal temperatures and precipitation to be normal.  The long lead outlooks are calling for both temperature and precipitation to be near to above normal. 

Around the region our growing degree day numbers have remained close to the four-year average. In the last week we gained an average of 178 growing degree days at base 50 in the region. Read this Michigan State University Extension article to learn more about degree days: Understanding growing degree-days. 

Degree Day Accumulation Mar. 1-July 1, 2025 Forecast from July 2-July 8, 2025; issued July 1, 2025
Station (County) Degree Days Base 42°F Current Degree Days Base 42°F Average (4 Yr.) Degree Days Base 42°F Forecast Degree Days Base 45°F Current Degree Days Base 45°F Average (4 Yr.) Degree Days Base 45°F Forecast Degree Days Base 50°F Current Degree Days Base 50°F Average (4 Yr.) Degree Days Base 50°F Forecast
Commerce (Oakland) 1637 1612 1874 1383 1364 1600 1006 1002 1187
Deerfield (Monroe) 1857 1807 2097 1585 1543 1804 1179 1153 1363
East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) 1716 1677 1949 1456 1424 1667 1068 1055 1245
Emmett (St. Clair) 1506 1546 1732 1260 1302 1466 906 947 1076
Flint (Genesee) 1743 1719 1981 1483 1465 1697 1093 1089 1275
Freeland (Saginaw) 1625 1644 1857 1377 1398 1588 1014 1037 1190
Hudson (Lenawee) 1749 1730 1990 1490 1478 1710 1107 1107 1292
Ithaca (Gratiot) 1711 1730 1947 1454 1478 1669 1077 1104 1257
Lapeer (Lapeer) 1623 1611 1847 1372 1366 1575 1000 1008 1168
Linwood (Bay) 1460 1509 1688 1225 1273 1432 885 931 1057
Pigeon (Huron) 1433 1518 1663 1198 1282 1406 860 938 1033
Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) 1647 1693 1878 1393 1443 1603 1019 1071 1193
Romeo (Macomb) 1624 1626 1861 1370 1375 1586 994 1008 1176
Sandusky (Sanilac) 1527 1557 1751 1283 1317 1485 928 968 1096
Average of stations in this region: 1633 1641 1865 1381 1393 1592 1010 1030 1186

 

Difference in Degree Day Accumulation from Mar. 1, 2025 observed June 24 and July 1, 2025; issued July 1, 2025
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
  24-Jun 1-Jul Difference 24-Jun 1-Jul Difference 24-Jun 1-Jul Difference
Commerce (Oakland) 1401 1637 236.0 1169 1383 214.0 826 1006 180.0
Deerfield (Monroe) 1598 1857 259.0 1347 1585 238.0 976 1179 203.0
East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) 1474 1716 242.0 1234 1456 222.0 882 1068 186.0
Emmett (St. Clair) 1288 1506 218.0 1063 1260 197.0 744 906 162.0
Flint (Genesee) 1502 1743 241.0 1262 1483 221.0 908 1093 185.0
Freeland (Saginaw) 1391 1625 234.0 1164 1377 213.0 836 1014 178.0
Hudson (Lenawee) 1488 1749 261.0 1250 1490 240.0 902 1107 205.0
Ithaca (Gratiot) 1469 1711 242.0 1233 1454 221.0 891 1077 186.0
Lapeer (Lapeer) 1396 1623 227.0 1166 1372 206.0 829 1000 171.0
Linwood (Bay) 1242 1460 218.0 1028 1225 197.0 722 885 163.0
Pigeon (Huron) 1223 1433 210.0 1008 1198 190.0 705 860 155.0
Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) 1415 1647 232.0 1182 1393 211.0 842 1019 177.0
Romeo (Macomb) 1392 1624 232.0 1158 1370 212.0 818 994 176.0
Sandusky (Sanilac) 1302 1527 225.0 1078 1283 205.0 759 928 169.0
Average of stations in this region: 1399 1633 234 1167 1381 213 831 1010 178

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. 

 

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