Spring brings early cherry bloom in the Northwest
Spring brings early cherry bloom in the Northwest
Cherry growers in the Northwest are seeing an early bloom in their trees, with most in Washington experiencing a full bloom the first weekend in April.
“Later districts will have full bloom by April 9-10,” Scott Marboe, director of marketing at Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA, said in an April 6 press release.
Cherries are close to full bloom across the Northwest, with a May 30 harvest expected for early varieties. Photo by Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers. “With temperatures forecast to be in the low 80s by Friday, and long-term conditions expected to be mild and nice, it looks like we are setting up for an early start and possible an early finish as well.”
It’s not the earliest start on record — 2015 holds that distinction — but right now 2016 looks to be the third-earliest bloom on record.
“Last year was the earliest, and we’re only a few days behind,” Marboe said, adding, “It will create challenges again. We anticipate our first cherries to be harvested right around May 30, with Chelans possibly coming in even earlier. Volume is expected to come on fast as well, with first peaks the latter part of June 6. That means Fourth of July ads will be good.”
Marboe said buyers should “look for great opportunities throughout July, but once again, as we saw last year, the early start could bring this season to an end in early to mid-August. And of course summer heat will play into the season’s progress as well.”
