what is southwest michigans winter going to be like in 2017-2018?

This is the first update for the season. All fruit crops made it through the winter in good shape. Buds are swelling on early tree fruit.

Winter

The winter of 2021-2022 was balmy. Temperatures seldom dropped below five degrees Fahrenheit. Two radiation common cold events on Jan. 29 and Feb. 13 resulted in temperatures between 0 and -10 F for much of the region. No meaning damage was reported. Winter atmospheric precipitation was near average. Early ornamental plants started showing signs of movement in mid-March. Some fruit crop buds are simply starting to dandy now.

Beneath are the growing degree days (GDD) for the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (SWMREC) almost Benton Harbor, Michigan, for the terminal 15 years. Compare the 2022 numbers to the average for the last 15 years and yous tin can see that nosotros are nigh boilerplate.

GDD from January. ane to March 28, 2022, at the SWMREC near Benton Harbor for the concluding xv years.
Year	Base 42 F	Base 45 F	Base of operations l F
Average	115	82	45
2022	109	74	36
2021	137	101	57
2020	88	55	xix
2019	49	28	10
2018	78	49	18
2017	226	161	85
2016	163	115	sixty
2015	37	24	12
2014	13	5	0
2013	41	25	8
2012	392	324	228
2011	51	31	14
2010	88	55	21
2009	138	98	48
2008	53	35	16
2007	170	128	fourscore

The winter of 2021-2022 was balmy. Some low temperatures between 0 and -seven degrees Fahrenheit were reported betwixt mid-January and mid-February, but no damage to fruit crops was reported. Photo from MSU Enviroweather

March weather

Temperatures have been variable for nigh of March. Much of the region has already seen a few days with high temperatures about lxx F. Several locations have also reported lows between x and 15 F late on March 12 and March 27. At this time, nearly fruit crops would need to see temperatures almost aught for pregnant damage. The tabular array below shows March was average, overall.

Southwest Michigan GDD Summary from March 1 through March 28, 2022
Station	GDD 42 F	GDD 45 F	GDD 50 F
Benton Harbor (SWMREC)	92	65	36
Lawton (Lawton)	90	66	38
Fennville (TNRC)	70	48	25
Boilerplate for the SW region	86	62	35

The forecast for the upcoming week is for lows nearly freezing and highs in the 40s. The one exception is Wed when a quick moving low-force per unit area system volition bring some warm, wet weather for the mean solar day with highs in the 60s and up to an inch of pelting. Slight chances of scattered rain/snow mix are forecast for Thursday, March 31, through the weekend.

The medium range forecast for the first half of Apr is for cooler than average atmospheric condition and lower than average chances of rain. Longer range forecasts fare for warmer than boilerplate temperatures through the rest of spring, and a return to average or above average chances of atmospheric precipitation.

Tree fruit

The by winter was relatively mild, with the only somewhat significant dips on Jan. 28 and Feb. 13, down to ane to -seven F. This episode may have affected some peach fruit buds in a few sites. In full general, the tree fruit ingather prospects are yet really good. The sporadic temperatures in March have moved some early crops along, but most take not shown much development however.

Dry conditions for the last month allowed growers to brand good progress pruning. Check blocks for bear witness of San Jose scale on branches to determine the need for oil sprays. The fungicide captan is apparently in curt supply now. Ziram is adequately similar to captan in the spectrum of diseases controlled merely washes off easier.

Apricots buds are slightly swollen.

Apricot buds are swollen on many varieties. Photo by Mike Reinke, MSU Extension.

Peach and nectarine fruit buds are showing signs of swelling. If not already done, peach and nectarine should be protected against peach leafage whorl infections. Infections require 10-plus hours of wetting with temperatures in the range of 46 to 55 F. Treatment at present can help suppress additional infections when these atmospheric condition weather occur even past bud swell. Depression levels of copper also suppress bacterial spot populations.

In cherries, no movement has been seen in the libation areas of this region. Copper sprays tin can be safely applied to cherries. Copper applications may reduce bacterial canker in cherries.

In plums, Japanese plum fruit buds are visibly bloated, with European plum lagging behind. Clip out black knot and dispose of the knots by burning or removing from the orchard. Sanitation is an important step in managing this affliction.

Apple tree early varieties Zestar, Macintosh and Jonathan are at silver tip in Berrien Canton, and likely are showing first dark-green in warmer, southern sites away from Lake Michigan. Scab sprays will exist needed to protect against future rains as green tissue emerges. Copper sprays tin can provide early on scab command and burn down bane suppression. Protectants are preferred over systemic fungicides at this time of year for scab control.

Pear buds are slightly swollen. Bud scales are starting to separate.

Small fruit

Grapes evidence no motility.

Blueberry flower buds appear swollen, leaf buds do not show growth yet. Growers yet accept time to apply copper, Sulforix or lime sulfur products to suppress early flavor diseases.

Strawberries have greened up and new leaves are starting to emerge from the crown. Overwintering mulches should be removed and raked between the rows. Some growers are putting out floating row covers. Growers are looking at early season herbicides to control overwintering weeds. When selecting an herbicide, make certain and check the pre-harvest interval (PHI). Nosotros are getting to the part of spring where some herbicide PHIs are cutting information technology close to predicted harvest dates.

Brambles show some motility with swollen buds. Dormant pruning should be completed soon. In summertime bearing raspberries, last yr'south primocanes should be headed (cut dorsum) to the desired height and any remaining floricanes from concluding twelvemonth should exist removed. Fall begetting raspberries should be cut or mowed to the ground. Lime sulfur treatments for anthracnose can withal be applied.

Upcoming meetings

Our regular southwest Monday fruit IPM updates volition exist moving to a hybrid format. The meetings volition exist held in-person with virtual attending also available online. Our start coming together is Monday, April eleven, at 5:30 p.yard. You need to register to receive the Zoom link and password for these meetings. The webinars are free and two pesticide applicator credits are bachelor for each meeting. The same Zoom link will be used with all the Monday meetings—yous only demand to register once.

Related articles

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• Using Enviro-atmospheric condition's regional overnight temperature written report during common cold events
• Treat peach leaf curl now
• Managing bacterial herpes in sweet cherries: What are the options?
• Early on insect control with horticultural oils
• Dormant oil for tree fruit pest direction in 2015
• Scouting and management of mummy berry in blueberries

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Source: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/southwest-michigan-fruit-update-march-29-2022

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