Rainfall has replenished soils but evaporative demand continues to exceed moisture according to the weekly report by Michigan State University Extension educators Bill Shane, Diane Brown and Mark Longstroth. A summary of their weekly update is as follows:
Weather
Last week was hot, with highs 100 at the beginning of the week. Temperatures then fell into the 80s as a cold front brought rain to the region on Wednesday evening with a good soaking rain July 19. Rainfall amounts ranged from 0.7 to 1.5 inches. This rain recharged the topsoil and alleviated drought stress symptoms for most plants. Hotter temperatures returned by the weekend. Rainfall still lags behind evaporative demand, and all soils are drying out again.
Birds and raccoons continue to be a problem in fruit.
Southwest Michigan fruit status:
Small fruit
Strawberry growth is good where growers have irrigated. Potato leaf hopper burn can be seen in some plantings. Day neutral strawberries in the high tunnels are producing good quantities of reasonably- sized berries despite the heat. Blackberry harvest continues. Blueberry harvest is moving rapidly in the heat. We are past the peak of the season. Fruit quality is generally good. Birds are eating blue fruit in fields before they can be harvested.
Grapes in established vineyards responded to the rain, and berries are putting on size. Juice grape bunches have closed. Wine grapes are at bunch closure.
Tree Fruit
Most tree fruit in region continue to show drought stress.
Redhaven and PF11 Peach are being harvested with the varieties Starfire, Bellaire, and John Boy coming up soon. Bird pecks are common on red fruit. The hot weather has caused some varieties to ripen on the outside of fruit earlier than the inside. Flavor of peaches continue to be generally very good.
Apple fruits are generally -2.7 or more inches in diameter; summer apple varieties are at 3 inches. Red striping is starting to show on early coloring Red Delicious strains.
Due to the early warm temperatures, predicted harvest dates for apples are up to 3 weeks ahead of normal. The light apple crop will make harvest go quickly, but the hot weather will increase the tendency of fruit to drop quickly.
Pear fruit are about 2 1/2 inches or more in diameter on Harrow Sweet.
