Welcome to the first issue of the 2025 Facts for Fancy Fruit newsletter!
I am excited to help carry on the tradition of providing timely, research-based information to fruit growers across the state.
With all the crazy weather across the state this week, I know we are all dreaming of the day we can pick the first sun-ripened strawberry or plump grape off the vine this summer. Folks are anxious to get pruning done, and we cross our fingers as nightly temperatures in some parts of the state dip below freezing. Check out Crop Conditions in each issue to see the current phenology stage for strawberry, blackberry, apple, pear, grape, peach, plum, pawpaw and black currant in Lafayette, IN. Also, I encourage you to refer to the frost/freeze probability maps if you plan to plant any new crops this spring.
If there is a topic you would like to see covered, please feel free to reach out to me at mrpurcel@purdue.edu.
Please be on the lookout for a survey we will be conducting at the end of the season to figure out how we can better serve our subscribers.
Wishing you all a productive season ahead!
Miranda Purcell
Viticulture Extension Specialist
Purdue University