The second earliest peach bloom recorded at Vineland was on April 24, 1998. Growers generally have not been concerned about low evening temperatures and frost damage to the open bloom. Bloom for many varieties is heavy as Japanese Plums were in full bloom last week while apricots were in petal fall in the early areas on the weekend. There has been enough good days for bee activity and pollination to date. Most growers have now finished pruning and the bulk of the activity is tying the vines.
Vines are in bud swell and there is little winter bud damage.
Straw has been removed and herbicides applied to strawberry plantings. Buds not extending from the crown yet. New primocane growth has begun on raspberries. Lots of vegetable seeding going on with good soil conditions and warm temperatures. Lettuce and early cole crop transplanting continues.