Peter M Hirst

Facts for Fancy Fruit Editor & Professor of Horticulture
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Area(s) of Interest: Commercial Tree Fruit Production

198 articles by this author

Article List

Over the last week many areas of the state have experienced minimum temperatures likely to cause bud damage. Many areas experienced low temperatures of 24-26 F (according to weather stations) although one grower reported a low of 22 F.  As experienced growers know well, it’s not just the temperature as such that’s important, but the…Read more about Freeze damage[Read More]


In Lafayette and more northern areas of the state, it’s been a pretty typical spring. Temperatures at this time of the year are a two-edged sword. Cooler temperatures and the delay in crop development, reduces the chance f freeze damage to crops, but if flowers are already open, we want warm temperatures for bee movement,…Read more about Spring temperatures[Read More]



A new study from Cornell University has found that it takes as few as 10 minutes in a natural setting for college students to feel happier and lessen the effects of stress both physically and mentally. Just think what a visit to a farm market or an afternoon U-picking with the family could do. More…Read more about Spending time in nature reduces stress and anxiety[Read More]


It can be useful to compare this growing with previous years. The typical way we calculate growing conditions is by calculating Growing Degree Days (GDD). This is somewhat similar to the method many are familiar with for calculating codling moth emergence. In Figure 1, we see the accumulation of GDD over the last 10 years….Read more about Growing season[Read More]


NEWS RELEASE: Special to Agriculture Media and Reporters March 17, 2020 A guide for local producers to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — COVID-19’s arrival in Indiana has created unprecedented disruption to local production cycles that bring food, fiber, flowers and more to our restaurants, farmers’ markets and communities. Now is the time…Read more about NEWS RELEASE: Special to Agriculture Media and Reporters[Read More]


Have you thought about producing your own value-added products (value-added: further process fresh produce to increase its value)? What’s the challenges for you to start or scale up your own value-adding business? We would like to invite you to participate in the study “Attitude, Knowledge, and Barriers towards Value-Adding Business among Indiana Fruit and Vegetable…Read more about Attitude, Knowledge, and Barriers towards Value-Adding Business among Indiana Fruit and Vegetable Growers[Read More]



Join participants across Indiana, and the greater-Midwest on Thursday, October 10, 2019, for the sixth annual Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch! Or, host your Crunch any day and time in October that works for you. Register below to receive the 2019 Apple Crunch Guide and stickers! The Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch is a great…Read more about Sixth annual Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch[Read More]