In this bulletin
- Crop Update:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
Warm and wet conditions over the past week have accelerated strawberry harvest across Ontario, while increasing disease pressure and contributing to fruit quality challenges. Pick-your-own operations are underway in many regions; however, some farms are facing the fruit rot and quality issues. The focus this week is on maintaining fruit quality, managing diseases, and preparing for raspberry harvest.
Table of Contents
Crop Updates:
Crop development continues to progress across Ontario, with strawberries in full harvest, raspberries nearing harvest, and blueberries advancing through early fruit development. Variable weather conditions, including recent rainfall and earlier frost events, continue to influence crop performance, pest pressure, and fruit quality across regions.
Strawberries:
Harvest is progressing rapidly across the province, with many growers’ noting variability between fields depending on moisture conditions, frost injury and management practices. Fruit quality challenges are becoming more widespread, with increasing fruit rots including leather rot and other soft rots under frequent rainfall and prolonged leaf wetness. Thrips damage is also contributing to bronzing, cracking and misshapen fruit, while rapid ripening is leading to over ripeness and field breakdown where harvest intervals are extended.
Diseases: Botrytis and anthracnose are present but generally under control in fields where fungicide programs have been maintained. Continued protection remains important, particularly during harvest and under wet conditions where infection risk is high. Fungicide programs should continue with good coverage and rotation of modes of action to manage resistance, using registered products and timing guidance available through the Ontario Crop Protection Hub. The diseases are spreading quick and refer to disease decision support system to keep the track of the spread.
Insects:
Insect pressure is contributing to fruit quality concerns this week. Thrips are a key issue, in strawberries, where feeding causes bronzing and cracking of fruit. Where pressure is high or damage is evident, control may be required using registered options such as Delegate, Exirel, ensuring good coverage and rotation of product groups. Tarnished plant bug pressure remains moderate, with adult activity observed and the potential for continued nymph emergence. Monitoring should continue and control may be needed where thresholds are exceeded, targeting early instar nymphs for best control. Aphids are present at low to moderate levels in some fields and continue to pose a risk for virus transmission, particularly in new plantings. Management should be maintained where needed using products such as Sivanto Prime or Beleaf 50SG during bloom and harvest, following Crop Protection Hub guidance for timing and use. Potato leafhoppers are also present in some areas, especially in younger plantings, although pressure remains relatively low.
Weeds:
Weed pressure continues to vary significantly between fields. Sites with strong herbicide programs remain relatively clean, while others are experiencing escapes, particularly of lamb’s quarters and grasses. Some growers have reported reduced performance of residual herbicides earlier in the season, likely due to excessive rainfall following application. In renovated or post-harvest fields, timely weed control will remain important to maintain field vigour going into next season.
Blueberries:
Blueberries are progressing well across the province, with bloom wrapping up in southern regions and fruit set underway in most areas. Early fruit development is progressing under generally favourable conditions, although some variability remains due to earlier frost events and site-specific differences.
Disease management remains important at this stage, particularly for anthracnose and botrytis, which can be favoured by wet conditions during bloom and early fruit development. Growers should continue protective fungicide programs and maintain coverage as fruit develops.
Disease pressure is currently being monitored closely. Some growers have submitted samples for anthracnose and botrytis, with interest in confirming presence and severity, particularly under continued wet conditions. While disease levels have not been widely reported as severe, conditions remain conducive for development.
Raspberries:
Raspberries are at the green fruit stage, with harvest expected to begin in early July across most regions. Growers are reporting strong fruit set and good yield potential overall, although some winter injury remains evident in certain plantings. Current insect pressure is relatively low, with only minor clipper weevil activity and limited aphid presence observed.
As fruit develops, continued scouting is recommended for clipper weevil and other pests. Maintaining fungicide coverage through bloom and early fruit development is important for managing cane diseases and protecting yield potential. Irrigation should also be maintained where needed to support fruit sizing, particularly in dry conditions.
Preparation for Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) management is critical as harvest approaches. Once fruit begins to ripen, SWD populations can increase rapidly, and timely implementation of control programs will be essential.
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD):
SWD pressure is increasing across the province, and management programs are underway in several regions. SWD sprays are already being applied in some strawberry and raspberry fields, particularly where fruit is present. Growers are being advised to keep a close eye on fields as conditions remain favourable for population buildup.
Early raspberries are now at risk as fruit continues to ripen. Some reports indicate that SWD sprays may also be contributing to control of other pests such as aphids in certain situations. Growers are continuing to monitor for signs of infestation and evaluating fruit quality closely.
Frequent harvest and removal of overripe or damaged fruit remain important to reduce pressure. As raspberry harvest approaches and more fruit become susceptible, the importance of maintaining regular monitoring and timely applications will increase.
General Observations:
- Frequent rainfall has significantly increased disease pressure and fruit rot.
- Many growers report smaller fruit size despite heavy fruit set, likely due to environmental stress and high crop load.
- Considerable variability between farms depending on moisture, frost impact, and management practices.
- Some pick-your-own farms are closing early due to fruit quality issues, while others continue with strong customer turnout.
Crop Protection Reminder:
For current pest management options, including registered products, application timing, pre-harvest intervals, and resistance management, consult the Ontario Crop Protection Hub. The Crop Protection Hub provides up-to-date, crop-specific information to support decision-making throughout the season.
Key Takeaways:
- Focus on harvest management and fruit quality preservation.
- Stay ahead of fruit rots under wet conditions.
- Monitor and manage thrips and TPB.
- Prepare for raspberry harvest and increasing SWD pressure.
- Continue regular scouting — field variability is high this season