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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

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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large green leaves on a pumpkin plant in a field

2026 Recommended Pumpkin Spray Schedule

May 29, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Important ConsiderationsCheck The Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecast Homepage for development and spread of downy mildew. Spray the field when the disease is in locations near the field with chlorothalonil (i.e., Bravo Weather Stik). Spray...

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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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row of green tomato plants in a high tunnel

Early observations from high tunnel determinate tomato variety trial

May 29, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Historically, applied fruit and vegetable research conducted at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois has always included variety trials, whether in open field production or in high tunnels. For the past 15 years, research projects have been conducted...

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From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Demonstration and research crops off to good start

May 29, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

New plastic was finally able to be installed on the middle high tunnel on May 12. Wind conditions were calm and the process of reskinning took 8 of us about 2.5 hours to complete. During the month of May, DSAC has received a total of 3.81 inches of rain with an average maximum temperature of 76 F...

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A field planted with rows of green plants with standing water in the field

From Northeastern Illinois (St. Charles): Spotty frosts and continued rain create flooding and planting delays

May 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

If you established a cover crop last fall or earlier this spring, the persistent April rainfall likely worked in your favor. Across northern Illinois, April weather was highly variable but ultimately warmer and much wetter than normal, shaping planting conditions throughout the western Chicago...

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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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From St. Louis Metro East: Spring is here again

May 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

One final regional update from Elizabeth Wahle. And the cycle begins again for 2026. Asparagus harvest is ongoing and a good crop overall is being reported. Plasticulture strawberries are in week two of harvest and as usual for early berries, could benefit from some heat and...

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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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