Unpredictable Weather Leaves Northern Michigan Apple Growers in Limbo
Apple growers across Northern Michigan are facing a season filled with uncertainty as they monitor how their orchards respond to lingering winter conditions and a slow start to spring. While some signs are encouraging, cooler temperatures are raising concerns about pollination, fruit development, and ultimately, the fall harvest.
Emma Grant of Cherry Bay Orchards in Leelanau County summed up the current mood among growers: “I wish the unpredictability is what is predictable, that every year is going to be different, every spring is going to be different, every growing season and harvest is going to be different.”
Growers began to see apple trees bloom roughly two weeks ago, but lower-than-average temperatures have stalled further development. According to Grant, “It’s just been kind of a drawn-out bloom as these cooler temperatures came in, things aren’t really moving along.”
While the extended winter helped replenish ground moisture—a benefit for the growing season—it also brought challenges. One of the biggest concerns is the reduced bee activity, which plays a vital role in pollination. Without adequate pollination, fruit set could be limited.
Describing the uneven bloom patterns, Grant noted, “I’ve got trees where, clusters are open, some are starting to go into petal fall, and then there’s other clusters that are still at pink and haven’t even begun to open flowers yet. So it’s going to be interesting to see what the fruit set does.”
Nikki Rothwell of the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center also emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the season. “I feel like we’re kind of still playing a waiting game which seems unbelievable considering it’s gonna be June soon,” she said.
Rothwell encourages growers to take a hands-on approach when evaluating their trees. “We’ve been recommending getting out of the truck and actually walking, looking at the tree, look high in the tree which usually has more fruit than the bottom part of the tree and then start to make those thinning decisions.”
As temperatures begin to rise, growers are hopeful that more clarity will come in the days ahead. Grant explained, “In a week or so, we should start to see that fruitlet development to start getting into like four millimeter, six millimeter, the size of the fruit, where you start to look at your thinning numbers. So we should be able, by the end of next week to know a little better what we have out there, and then take that into account as we look at thinning.”
It’s not just apples that are affected. Cherry growers throughout the region are also navigating a critical period, with some orchards reporting weather-related damage while others remain largely unaffected.
For now, many growers remain in a holding pattern, closely watching their crops and hoping the weather cooperates as the season progresses.
To read the full article by Marc Schollett, visit this link: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/northern-michigan-apple-growers-face-uncertain-season-amid-weather-challenges
At De Boer, Baumann & Company, we’re proud to serve the agricultural community. If you need help navigating seasonal challenges or planning for long-term farm sustainability, our team is here to support your goals.
