By Becky Wiepz and Dan Kielar
Station Updates
- Season is starting strong, despite spring frosts, the crops are looking good.
UW Madison/Extension Updates
- Wisconsin Fruit Crop Scouting Report: June 3, 2026
- Notes from the Field: A Grower’s Perspective – Erin Warner #3
- Apple Shoot Blight Management: What Should Wisconsin Growers Do Now?
- Petiole Sampling for Determining Fertilization Needs in Cold-Climate Grapes
- Protecting Grape Clusters During the Critical Pre-Bloom to Post-Bloom Period
Historic Growing Degree Day Comparison
| Date 6/18 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 20-year avg. |
| Base 50 | 467.5 | 552 | 620.5 | 476.5 | 552 | 536 |
Recent Weather at Peninsular Ag Research Station
| Date | Max Temp(℉) | Min Temp(℉) | Max Wind Gust(mph) | Daily Rain Total(in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/11 | 80.1 | 57.9 | 21.0 | 0.21 |
| 6/12 | 77.4 | 59.2 | 22.1 | 0.0 |
| 613 | 78.3 | 55.8 | 25.5 | 0.12 |
| 6/14 | 62.8 | 48.9 | 21.7 | 0.0 |
| 6/15 | 74.5 | 48.7 | 17.9 | 0.0 |
| 6/16 | 69.6 | 52.9 | 18.3 | 0.0 |
| 6/17 | 61.9 | 51.1 | 16.8 | 0.59 |
| 6/18 | 71.4 | 53.2 | 21.0 | 0.09 |
If you’d like to see weather data for your area, visit https://wisconet.wisc.edu/
Apples
Growth Stage: 10-15mm fruit in most varieties
Seasonal Update: Use low rate NAA 5-6 weeks after full bloom to enhance return bloom next year. Check your label for rate information.
| Pest | Southern Door | Central Door | Northern Door | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borer species | Present | Present | Present | |
| Codling Moth | Peak flight 1st generation | Peak flight 1st generation | Peak flight 1st generation | 1st generation sprays should go out with a follow-up spray 10-14 days later |
| Plum Curculio | No scarring observed yet | No scarring observed yet | No scarring observed yet | Controls should go be included in your second cover spray |
| Leaf rollers | Full flight | Full flight | Full flight | Red banded leaf rollers coming to an end and oblique banded leaf rollers at peak flight |
| Disease | Southern Door | Central Door | Northern Door | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Scab | None Detected | None Detected | None Detected | Primary spore dispersal is nearly done. If control was good, sprays can be stretched to 10-14 days between applications |
| Fire Blight | Yes | None Detected | None Detected | Orchards should be monitored and strikes should be removed promptly, cutting 12-18 inches past the end of the canker. |
| Powdery Mildew | Yes | None Detected | Yes | If present, include a product that specifies control on the label and plan on and early season application of sulfur next year. |
Cherries
Growth Stage: Fruit is sizing up.
Seasonal Update: New leaves are still expanding so good fungicide coverage is essential for season long tree health. Gibberellic acid application can be used to manage return bloom when applied 14-28 days after full bloom. See the article linked below for more information.
| Pest | Southern Door | Central Door | Northern Door | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted Wing Drosophila | Yes | Yes | Yes | Fruit is not vulnerable yet but models should be utilized to time insecticide as soon as necessary since adults are present throughout the county. When possible, save effective chemistries for SWD applications closer to harvest. |
| Plum Curculio | Adults Detected | Adults Detected | Adults Detected | Few egg laying scars have been detected, 1 more spray should be adequate to keep larvae out of the fruit at harvest. |
| Borer species | Adults Caught | Adults Caught | Adults Caught | Targeted sprays should go out 7-10 days after first catch followed by a second application 10-14 days later. |
| European Red Mites | Scouting starts soon to monitor population build up. |
| Disease | Southern Door | Central Door | Northern Door | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Leaf Spot | Yes | Yes | Yes | Application windows should remain tight as long as leaves are expanding and rain events continue. |
| Powdery Mildew | None Detected | None Detected | None Detected | If present, include a product that specifies control on the label and plan on and early season application of sulfur next year. |
GRAPES
Growth Stage: E-L Growth Stage 18
Seasonal Update: Fungicides should be applied around bloom to protect your fruit through harvest.
| Pest | Station | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf Hoppers | Yes | |
| Phylloxera | Some galls observed | |
| Red Banded Leaf Rollers | Yes |
| Disease | Station | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black Rot | Single Lesions Observed | Early season fungal control is critical to prevent diseases from reaching economically damaging levels. |
| Powdery Mildew | None Detected | Risk will increase with current heat and humidity. Scout your orchard to determine local pressure. |
| Downey Mildew | None Detected | Risk will increase with current heat and humidity. Scout your orchard to determine local pressure. |