News

Too early to fret about warm weather

Extension educators in the Eastern Corn Belt say the recent spring-like weather shouldn’t have a major impact on fruit crops.

Fruit educator Mark Longstroth with Michigan State University says most weather stations in the state report chilling hours, or hours needed for winter dormancy, are within the range for fruit crops to begin growth.  He says temperatures below 10 degrees could cause significant damage, but are unlikely with spring approaching.

Longstroth says while the early spring-like warm up might be reminiscent of 2012, it’s too early to be worried.  That year, two summer-like weeks in March and April freezes led to widespread losses for the Michigan’s fruit industry.

He says the most damage can happen when fruit buds have opened and temperatures drop near 20 degrees but the cool weather forecasted should slow growth before it gets to that development stage.

Extension educators at Purdue University agree, saying so far, temperatures have not been warm long enough to threaten Indiana’s fruit crop.  Forecasters in both states see no signs of severe freezing temperatures that could damage early emerging trees this year.