Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

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 […]

Maturity Report Peaches Peach varieties we picked this week include: PF23, Blushingstar, Veteran, Contender, Harrow Beauty and Glowingstar. We have only a few varieties left to pick: Messina, Autumnstar and Selena. Plums European plums are in the process of ripening. We picked Castleton and Rosy Gage. Long John will be ready next. Apples McIntosh harvest […]

Maturity Report Peaches Peaches we are picking this week: Coralstar, PF17 Ripening of varieties has been out of the normal sequence this summer. Check varieties ahead of schedule because some seem to be ready to pick before expected. Apples McIntosh harvest indices are listed in the table below. Consider these values as the baseline because […]

In this newsletter: ReTain Reminders Fruit Maturity ReTain Reminders To extend the harvest, ReTain can be applied 28 to 7 days before anticipated first pick. For orchards in southern Maine, we are about about 21 days from first pick on Macs and Honeycrisp. ReTain can extend the harvest window by preventing preharvest fruit drop. I […]