Plants under row covers are in bloom and covers should be removed. See more details in the strawberry section below. Highbush blueberries are blooming in the Connecticut River Valley and in most other areas of the state. Things to look for include evidence of mummyberry strikes on new foliage. If damage is found, be sure to pro-tect blossom tissue from the blossom blight phase of the disease.
Raspberries are fully leafed-out and new canes are emerging.
Again, the freeze event nipped the foliage of some new primocanes, especially on fall bearing varieties. Growers should be ready to protect against black rot, phomopsis and downy mildew although disease pres-sure is low due to the dry weather. Hopefully, this will soon change. Keep an eye out for flea beetle. Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on May 9, 2001.