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UMass Extension Fruit Program

The UMass Extension Fruit Program's mission is to assist fruit growers with all aspects of horticultural and pest management. It is part of the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment within the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts.

News

  • Apples in a box

    How apple farmers are thinking about climate change this fall

    October 2, 2024

    Massachusetts has more than 80 pick-your-own apple farms. But warming weather is hurting apple and fruit crops across New England.

    Al Rose, co-owner of Red Apple Farm, and Jon Clements, an educator with the
    Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at UMass, talk about this year's apple season and how they're thinking about climate change's impact on future crops.

  • Crimson Gold apple

    2024 Apple Maturity Report Updated

    September 24, 2024

    2024 apple maturity report updated: https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/2024-apple-maturity-report

    Later-season apple harvest getting going, McIntosh and Honecyrisp wrapping up, Cortland, Macoun, Empire starting up, watch Ambrosia and Crimson Crisp closely...

  • tree-ripe peaches

    Picking and handling tree-ripe peaches (2024)

    August 1, 2024

    Jon Clements Extension Tree Fruit Specialist, UMass Amherst

    It is not necessary to wait for peaches to soften before they are tree-ripe.

    Here are a few pointers for picking tree-ripe peaches, and then for handling peaches when you get them home.

    When picking peaches in the orchard:

    • look for the absence of green skin/background color – any green will have changed to yellow (or white if it is a white-flesh peach) when the peach is tree-ripe; if there is still some green skin, let the peach stay on the tree to ripen more
    • bright red-orange skin color is a good sign of ripeness, however, it depends on the variety – some are very red-orange, some less so; a fully yellow/white background (no green) is still the best indicator of tree-ripeness on peaches that don’t have as much red-orange color
    • IF you must squeeze the peach a bit to assess ripeness, don’t squeeze too hard, that will result in an unsightly bruise; be prepared to buy that peach you squeezed if it gives!
    • larger peaches ripen first and peaches in the tops of the trees also ripen first
    • a ripe peach will separate from the tree easily; if the peach is difficult to pick leave it on the tree to ripen longer

    Once you get your peaches home, here is the proper way to handle and fully ripen them:

    • Do not leave in any kind of plastic bag if that is what you picked into
    • Do not put the peaches in the sun or a hot room or car trunk – they will not ripen evenly
    • Do not put them in the refrigerator unless you want them not to ripen
    • Put the peaches on newspaper in a single layer not touching each other
    • Check to see as they start to soften by feeling them gently – don't push hard on them or they will bruise
    • When the fruit is soft, they are ripe and juicy, so ENJOY! Note this may takeseveral days.
    • This applies to peaches, nectarines, and plums too..
     Thanks to my good friend Annette Bjorge, Fruit Acres Farm, Coloma, MI for peach handling tips
  • graphic illustration of three red apples on a black background with black letters reading umass ipm fruit loop over the apples

    Listen to the Healthy Fruit Newsletter!

    July 19, 2024

    Did you know... The Fruit Team haas an audio version of the seasonal newsletter Healthy Fruit ?

  • 2024 Annual MFGA Summer Meeting

    June 7, 2024

    2024 MFGA Annual Summer Meeting to be Held at the UMass Cold Spring Research and Education Orchard.