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A small diameter apple trunk with a vertical split in the bark from winter damage

Assessing winter trunk damage in May: apples and stone fruits

May 1, 2026

May is a critical month for assessing winter trunk damage because trees are fully leafing out and water demand is increasing. Differences in vigor among cultivars and rootstocks that were subtle during bloom are often more obvious now. Along with thinning decisions, this is a good time to evaluate...

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A finger holding a branch with green leaves emerging from fruit bud

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Springtime bloom

May 1, 2026

Bloom PeriodBy the time you read this, most fruit trees in northern Illinois will have bloomed. When I visited an orchard in mid‑April, most cultivars were at tight cluster to half‑inch green. Just a week later, some cultivars had already entered late pink and even bloom. This...

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Tomatoes growing inside high tunnel with two different types of trellising methods shown

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: High tunnel trials are underway

May 1, 2026

Tomato and pepper variety trials are being conducted in one of the high tunnels at DSAC, with a planting date of April 6. Tomato variety trials will consist of 5 determinate varieties, 6 indeterminate varieties, and 6 bell pepper varieties. In anticipation of the indeterminate varieties growing...

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A close-up of a blueberry on the cover of a midwest fruit pest management guide publication

2026-2027 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide now available

May 1, 2026

The 2026-2027 Midwest Fruit Pest Guide has been updated and the PDF files are available for download. New this year, the spray guide has been divided up into separate sections by fruit family and you can download specific sections, making it...

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map of illinois with blue and green colors showing low temperatures across the state

From St. Louis Metro East: Growers may have lucked out following temperature roller coaster around St. Patrick's Day

April 1, 2026

The luck of the leprechauns may have been with growers this St. Patrick’s Day. By that I mean apples and peaches in Southern Illinois were/are all in bud development stages sensitive to below freezing temperatures, and we definitely got below freezing. Where the luck came in is...

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From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Storm damage from early March changes research plans

April 1, 2026

The mid March cold snap brought temperatures in the 18 to 22 degree range across southern Illinois. Double row covers on plasticulture strawberries did not provide enough protection to save flowers from popcorn up to full bloom in maturity. Flowers in tight bud were saved for the most part. As of...

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person with brown hair wearing a yellow shirt

Elizabeth Wahle reflects on her time with Illinois Extension as she prepares for retirement

April 1, 2026

When I started with Extension, I was fresh out of my Ph.D. program with Dr. John Masiunas…and really wet behind the ears compared to what I know now. I have so many people to thank for sharing their expertise and friendship throughout my career, including colleagues, growers, and support...

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From Central Illinois (Bloomington): Cover crop residue and spring growth at Unity Community Center Research and Demonstration Area

April 1, 2026

Over the last 5 years, efforts have been made at the Unity Community Center’s Research and Demonstration Area Garden in Normal, IL to rejuvenate garden soils used for food-insecure community food production through extensive cover crop utilization. This approach was taken due to the condition...

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Listeriosis - What it is and how to prevent it

April 1, 2026

Listeriosis is a disease caused by the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is often acquired from consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Foods often...

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What specialty crop growers need to know about the Dicamba over-the-top in soybeans for 2026

April 1, 2026

In February, the USEPA announced that three dicamba-containing products were approved for over-the-top (OTT) applications in soybean fields in 2026, with validity for only two years pending further review. Those three products are: Stryax (Bayer), Engenia (BASF), and...

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Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Latest Posts

Assessing winter trunk damage in May: apples and stone fruits

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Springtime bloom

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: High tunnel trials are underway

2026-2027 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide now available

From St. Louis Metro East: Growers may have lucked out following temperature roller coaster around St. Patrick's Day

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Storm damage from early March changes research plans

Elizabeth Wahle reflects on her time with Illinois Extension as she prepares for retirement

From Central Illinois (Bloomington): Cover crop residue and spring growth at Unity Community Center Research and Demonstration Area

Listeriosis - What it is and how to prevent it

What specialty crop growers need to know about the Dicamba over-the-top in soybeans for 2026

Blog Authors

Nathan Johanning

Bronwyn Aly

Nick Frillman