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healthy apple tree with plenty of leaves but no fruit

No apple crop in 2026? Focus on finishing the season strong

July 28, 2026

As I've talked with apple growers across northern Illinois this June and July, I've heard many variations of the same question:"The crop is gone. What should I be doing now?"For some growers, spring freeze events resulted in complete crop losses. Others have orchards with highly variable...

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misshaped apple fruit from frost damage on tree limb

Fall orchard management: The work that shapes next year's crop

July 28, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Yes, it’s August. Yes, you are not in peak harvest. Yet, you may already be thinking about next year. While you are understandably focused on yield, fruit quality, labor, and getting apples picked at the right time, some of the most important management decisions for 2027’s crop happen AFTER...

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black and yellow striped insect on a yellow cucumber flower

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Progress of high tunnel research and apple season

July 28, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Freeport High School High Tunnel Research, July 2026The cucumber and tomato high tunnel research project at the Freeport High School Student Garden continues to highlight both the benefits and challenges of protected vegetable production in Northern Illinois. Cucumbers have...

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two green peach leaves with raised, crinkled tissue in the center of the leaves that appears red and yellow in color

From Northeastern Illinois (St. Charles): Recognizing and managing peach leaf curl

May 29, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Over the past month, the DuPage and Kane Counties Extension office has received several calls and emails regarding peach leaf curl. Given the wet spring conditions, it is not surprising that this fungal disease is showing up in orchards this year. However, early symptoms can easily be mistaken for...

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black and red raspberry fruits on a plant

From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Small fruit harvest ramping up but so is fireblight

May 29, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

May has been a very busy month out in the field. The weather has been variable but has given growers multiple opportunities for field work and spring planting. Rainfall has gone in waves with a total of 2.91” for the month so far at Waterloo. Areas to the north got hammered with a 3.5”...

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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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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 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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Springtime bloom

May 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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

April 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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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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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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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