2014 Bloom has begun

Frontenac and Prairie Star have begun to bloom. ( Unfortunately Rose chafers have emerged too.) This puts us about 2 or 3 days ahead of last year.   Bloom has been one of the best early indicators for predicting harvest date.   Based on bloom, I think harvest will occur no earlier than the last weekend in September for LaCrescent, and Prairie Star.    The next two weeks I would likely plan on picking Marquette and Frontenac.  Weather during the season can still shift those dates later, but earlier dates are unlikely.  Crop loads look high right now, so I may need to do some crop thinning.    We are seeing almost zero bud loss on LaCrescent, Marquette, Prairie Star and Frontenac.    Foch is the only cultivar that had significant damage, It looks like 50-80% primary bud loss.