fruit

How can fruit and vegetable farmers prepare for El Niño?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu The current El Niño is likely to be the strongest we've seen in our lifetimes. How can we prepare for it? El Niño events typically get stronger through the fall and peak in the winter and often result in a warmer cold season in Minnesota...

American persimmon breeding could lead to a cold-hardy, multipurpose fruit crop for the Upper Midwest

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Kathleen Rhoades is a plant breeder who works for the Savanna Institute, a non-profit organization that focuses on sustainable food production systems. Their major emphasis is on agroforestry, which integrates trees and shrubs into crop...

Final Fruit Update - September 10, 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Apples Apple scab cultural management: Encouraging leaf decomposition Article: Apple storage disorders and recommendations for four UMN varieties Did you see moldy core in your apples this year? Grapes Harvest efficiency:...

Fruit Update - September 3, 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Apples Extreme weather conditions can bring end-of-season challenges Apple resource cards for customers Article: Did your orchard experience hail damage this year? Hail netting has its advantages. Grapes Announcement: 2026...

Fruit Update - August 27, 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Apples Apple sales are starting at the farmers market in southern Minnesota Variety highlight: First Kiss, and dealing with fruit drop Article: How to Determine Apple Ripeness: Starch, Firmness, and Brix Testing Grapes Table...

Fruit Update - August 20, 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Apples Growth stage update: Nearing harvest season for early-season apples Article: Organic apple orchard practices highlight in SW Michigan: Third Leaf Farm Grapes Article: Measuring fruit ripeness Article: Occasional...

Fruit Update - August 6, 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Apples Article: Red star rust: Scout for a new apple disease More on cedar-apple rust Day-neutral strawberries Harvest season ramping up in southern Minnesota Management: Runner removal Fruit diagnostics: Misshapen fruit...

Fruit Update - July 30, 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Apples Article: Cider apple production Grapes Growth stage update: Early- to mid-veraison Bird management in vineyards Converting lyre to VSP Article: Identifying herbicide damage in grapes Apples Photo:...

Fruit Update - July 23, 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Apples Growth stage update Article: Bocking comfrey orchard understory cover (Site specific strategies; video included) Grapes Growth stage update Hedging and skirting grapes Early-veraison is the next chance for petiole...

Fruit Update - July 15, 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Heat advisory for Minnesota growers Apples Identifying codling moth damage: Deep entry When should trunk guards be removed from apple trees? Check trellis wires, clips, and bands during the growing season (high density)...