Crop Report: June 30th, 2020
Tomatoes
Conventionals –Early, mid, and late season plantings are all looking good and maturing nicely. We are starting to see pea size fruit emerging.
San Marzano Style– The crop is maturing nicely and plants continue to look healthy. Harvest is anticipated to begin as soon as the organic harvest is complete.
Organics – The crop is maturing well and continues to look good. We are about two weeks out from the start of harvest.
Peaches
Organics – Harvest officially began on June 3rd. Harvest continues onto other organic varieties. Normal cultural practices and irrigation continue as needed.
Conventionals – June 24th harvest officially began. This is 2 days earlier than last year. Warmer temperatures have accelerated ripening while slowing down growth making size a concern moving forward into the harvest season. Irrigation is being applied as needed due to the increase in daytime temperatures. All normal cultural practices along with crop protection continue.
Pears
River and Linden district growers’ fruit size varies signifigantly from 1.9” – 2.7”+. Volume still looks to be slightly less than anticipated for this region. Crop in all districts looks good and continues to grow in size. Growers continue to irrigate as warm weather persists. Harvest is estimated to begin mid to late July. Normal cultural practices and crop protection continue.
Grapes
Grapes are sizing well. Some vineyards are beginning to experience veraison, the process in which berries begin to soften and ripen in preparation for harvest. Normal cultural practices continue with irrigation as needed due to warmer temperatures.
Cherries
Harvest is about a quarter of the way through. Cooler days are stretching out the cherry harvest as warmer weather is needed to help increase brix levels. Harvest will continue well into August at the current rate.
Apricots
Apricot harvest was completed on June 25th. Actual tonnage received was significantly less than anticipated. Stress from the full tonnage harvest and premium quality of 2019, unfortunately led to a lighter yield in this year’s crop. Apricots (like avocados) tend to yield excellent quantities every other year. Other contributing factors include lack of adequate winter rainfall and less than ideal chilling hours by 40%.