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Whether apple fruits will be sold fresh, stored for wholesale, or sold for processing, estimating optimum harvest dates is critical.

Apple blotch or Marssonina blotch, caused by Diplocarpon coronariae (formerly Marssonina caronaria), is found on leaves and fruit, and was identified in Pennsylvania in 2017. The disease can cause severe defoliation.

Information about locating, identifying, and treating egg masses.

Growers may be experiencing severe fire blight in their orchards in 2026. Information about the USDA-FSA Tree Assistance Program (TAP) is provided to remind growers of their options when natural disasters occur, such as severe fire blight.

Warm, rainy weather brings the threat of bitter rot, and sooty blotch and flyspeck infections. Marssonina spores are still active. Bacterial spot and cherry leaf spot management are necessary. Growers need to be vigilant during these conditions.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

The PENN IPM hotline provides short production-related messages from faculty and educators through a touch-tone phone interface. New features are now available for the hotline for 2026.

The 1-800 PENN IPM line is designed to provide concise messages on important production and management issues for growers of specialty and field and forage crops including vegetables, cut flowers, small fruit, tree fruit, Christmas trees and all things agronomic. Certain content is also available in Spanish.

Severe storms producing high winds and hail barreled across Pennsylvania the evening of May 13, 2026. If hail damage occurred in apple and pear orchards, growers are urged to spray streptomycin today to prevent trauma blight.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

Growers will want to monitor conditions closely May 11 – 18. Fire blight incidence is being reported, and will be exacerbated by warm temperatures and rainfall this week. These conditions will also favor Marssonina blotch and bitter rot.

This article summarizes the estimated per-acre costs of maintaining a mature apple orchard during a no-crop year resulting from a spring freeze event, based on 2026 input prices and labor rates in the mid-Atlantic region.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

Orchards across Pennsylvania with low to no crop due to cold temperatures experienced during the winter/spring of 2026 should not be ignored. Horticultural, disease, and insect management are necessary to prepare for the 2027 season.

Fire blight symptoms have started to manifest in orchards that experienced infection events the week of April 13. An apple scab infection event is forecasted for April 29 – 30.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

Gain practical, research-based strategies for commercial blueberry production, including soil health, pruning, IPM, and variety selection, with insights from experienced growers.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

Apple scab, rust, and Marssonina blotch infections could occur April 24 - 25. Growers should begin to be proactive to mitigate potential shoot blight caused by fire blight infections from April 14 - 18.

A significant freeze event is forecast across Pennsylvania Monday night into Tuesday morning, with temperatures expected to drop to 28°F at the FREC, 24°F at the New Paris, and 26°F at the Rock Springs Research Station.

Major apple scab and fire blight infection events are forecasted for April 18–19. Growers must take precautions to protect their apple trees.

The spring orchard meetings for 2026 are open for pre-registration. This is a handy schedule to plan your event selection.

Storms late Tuesday triggered fire blight infection. Conditions continue to be favorable today. This includes at least Adams County and the counties east. Control is a must today.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

Frost damage to susceptible plant tissues is a concern with strawberries nearly every year, blueberries in some years, and even brambles occasionally.