Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

In this newsletter: Bud Stage Development and Hardiness Announcements Bud Stage at Highmoor Farm It’s that time of year again when we worry about freezing temperatures that kill flower buds. Warming temperatures push buds to stages where they lose hardiness, so any cool down below freezing makes us nervous. If you are considering an application […]

In this newsletter: Bud Stage Development and Bud Survival Spring Herbicide Reminders, Guest Article Announcements Bud Stage Development and Bud Survival Some flower buds have just started to reach silver tip, while most are not yet there. Honeycrisp buds are swelling, but development has been slow thanks to the cold weather. Return bloom looks good […]

In this newsletter: When to begin pruning Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification Maine Ag Trades Show Northeast Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series Other Announcements When to Begin Pruning? Fruit trees are fully dormant and should be able to tolerate temperatures that occur this time of year in southern Maine. Temperatures in northern Maine can be […]

Maturity Report Many of us now grow varieties that ripen very late but are vulnerable to the first freeze in fall. A freeze is expected tomorrow morning in some locations. Predicted low temperatures for the Monmouth area are expected to be around 30 ºF, but it could get colder in low-lying areas. The temperature may […]

Maturity Report Apples McIntosh apples at Highmoor Farm have been harvested. Both strains of McIntosh are too ripe for long-term storage. None of our blocks were treated with ReTain or Harvista. Honeycrisp blocks have been harvested. Fruit remaining on the tree indicate that ripening is at an advanced stage and are too ripe for cold […]

Maturity Report Apples McIntosh apples at Highmoor Farm are dropping off the tree in all blocks indicating that the window has passed for harvesting storage apples. Our blocks were not treated with ReTain. Starch index and Delta Absorbance (DA) numbers have not changed from last week, but I measured the fruit still on the tree […]

Maturity Report Peaches We harvested Messina peaches this week. Fruit size was better than expected considering how dry it’s been and the fact that they were watered only twice and insufficiently. Only two varieties remain unharvested, Selena and Autumnstar. These two are among the latest to ripen in the Adams County Nursery. Pears Our green […]

Maturity Report Stone Fruit This week, we are harvesting Long John, a European plum, and Messina, one of our better peaches. Apples Water core is showing up in a few apples. Water core occurs when the apple cannot metabolize all the sugars that flow into it. The surplus sugars inside the apple will draw water […]

Maturity Report Pears Pears have reached a stage of maturity where they should be harvested for storage. Flesh firmness was in the range of 14 to 17 lbs. for all three varieties in our collection. Pears left on the tree will continue to ripen but will not last in cold storage more than several days […]