Fruit and Vegetable News

Authors: Natalie Hoidal & Marissa Schuh It’s a classic Minnesota spring with wild swings between hot and dry to cold and wet. Field work has been delayed on many farms after some parts of the state saw almost 2 inches of rain in 48 hours. A few parts of the state also had frost in the last week.  On the horizon, it looks like much of the state should have 4-5 days of dry, warm weather that will allow for tractor work and planting. Dealing with crusts after rainfall Soils with lower aggregate stability are more likely to experience some break-down of soil aggregates (clumps) during intense rain events. This is especially true in soils with more clay content. Heavy rains can separate soil into very small aggregates and particles; if the soil surface dries quickly after such an event, these small particles can bind together and form a cement-like surface over the top of your soil. As the weather warms up this weekend and you prepare for planting, what are some options for dealing...

 Article written by Madeline Wimmer, UMN Extension Fruit Production Educator.  Apples Growth and pest management updates  Apple fruit diameters 6 – 11 mm, increased vegetative shoot growth What makes for good conditions with post-bloom thinning? Apple scab updates from the NEWA station at the HRC Article: Codling moth: A common insect pest to manage in Minnesota Watersprout removal on older limbs Bud grafting at the UMN Horticultural Research Center Grapes Growth and pest management updates - Shoots 4 – 7 inches in length UMN Extension Fruit Crop Reporting Tool Apples Growth and pest management updates - Apple fruit diameters 6 – 11 mm, increased vegetative shoot growth Images: Different stages of fruit set for Zestar! (upper left; 11mm), Gala (upper middle; 7mm), First Kiss (upper right; 7mm), McIntosh (lower left; 8mm), Harlson (lower middle; 8mm), and Honeycrisp (lower right; 8-9mm). Photos taken on May 20, 2026 at Sekapp Orchard in Rochester, MN.   During this ti...

Article written by Madeline Wimmer, UMN Extension Fruit Production Educator.    Images: A Gravenstein apple showing signs of damage classic to codling moth (Cydia pomonella). A: frass at the apple calyx end is characteristic of codling moth larvae. B: When the frass is removed, a hole is revealed. C: the apple damage was localized to the apple core. Photos taken during a trip to Sonoma County, California (Zone 9b). Introduction A number of different lepidopteran pests (these are insects that become moths) are pests of apples, like red and oblique banded leaf rollers, oriental fruit moth, and codling moth. Of these, codling moth is a major pest of apples in the Upper Midwest. Codling moth adults can be distinguished from other moths by a dark copper-brown band located at their wing tips. Life cycle and damage Codling moths overwinter as mature larvae in cocoons under bark scales and debris. Adults tend to emerge between 175–220 degree days (DD, base 50°F) from January 1st and m...

Annalisa Hultberg, Extension Educator, food safety This time of the season is very busy, and we get lots of questions about finding commonly purchased materials for cleaning, sanitizing, handwashing, and in the packshed so growers don't have to spend time searching for supplies. We have compiled some of the most commonly sought out materials for handwashing, cleaning, sanitizing and packshed maintenance and links to purchase them.  For a step by step guide to build a low - cost handwashing station that features a dishpan drawer for paper towels, see this website. You can also just use a table. https://extension.umn.edu/growing-safe-food/handwashing-station Handwashing Stand Supplies You can purchase the supplies for a handwashing stand from many suppliers. We have gathered links to purchase online, but you may find them in stores near you as well.   RelianceProducts Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container  = $19.88 each Rubbermaid 11 qt. Dish Pans (to hold the pap...

Marissa Schuh , Integrated Pest Management Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension. Reviewed by Annie Klodd. Originally published April 2021, updated 2026. With their long season and spreading growth habit, pumpkins often present a weed control challenge.  Here are some important factors and considerations when working to manage weeds in pumpkins and winter squash.  Waterhemp in a pumpkin patch. While a few sporadic weeds may seem insignificant, one average waterhemp plant produces about 250,000 seeds. Photo: Annie Klodd, University of Minnesota Extension. First, know your weeds. This is beyond knowing you have general issues with grasses or broadleaves.  Some cultural techniques and herbicide chemistries are more effective against some weeds than others.  Being familiar with the specific weed issues in the fields you are planting into will help you tailor your weed control program for success.  Most farms have three to four main problem weeds, so ...