As the growing season is about to start, I want to provide you with a brief update on where crops stand here in southern Wisconsin at this time. For those of you in the northern parts of the state, expect to see similar developments in a week to 10 days as temperatures rise and conditions improve.

Overall, temperatures for the next five days will be moderate, with the warmest day forecasted for Sunday, April 13, when highs are expected to reach the mid-60s°F in southern Wisconsin. However, nighttime temperatures are expected to remain cool. Because of this, we do not anticipate buds to move very quickly.

Early apple cultivars have reached the green tip stage in southern Wisconsin, while later cultivars have reached silver tip. Remember to record 50% green tip dates at several blocks/cultivars in your orchard, to use in the NEWA models this summer. In terms of degree day accumulation, we are tracking growing degree days (DD 43 BE) to monitor bud development in apples. Based on current trends, we expect to reach the silver tip stage at approximately 121 DD. Keep an eye on your degree day totals to stay ahead of crop development.

Location	’25 forecast through 4/12	2024	2023
Verona WMARS	140	173	121
Gays Mills	164	199	128
Eau Claire	116	155	95
Door County PARS	43	94	77
Fond Du Lac	101	186	114
Racine	125	202	143

For grapes, all cultivars are still dormant in southern Wisconsin. We expect in the next week to early cultivars will reach wooly bud stage.

Early blueberry cultivars have reached the bud swell stage, while midseason and late cultivars are still at tight bud.

Stay tuned for further updates as we track these changes and look forward to more favorable weather.

This article was posted in Apples, Berries, Grapes and tagged Amaya Atucha, apple phenology, Apples, Blueberries, Fruit Phenology Update, gdd, grape phenology, Grapes, Growing Degree Days.