Tomatoes
Pear Shapes – The crop is looking very nice and maturing as expected.
Conventionals – Transplanting has finished. Early and mid-season planting are maturing on nicely.
Organics – The crop spared from the hail during May is looking good. Maturing and progressing as expected. The crop hit by the hail will begin harvest earlier than anticipated and will produce smaller yields.
Peaches
Growers are starting to finish thinning their later varieties. The third round of sizing took place confirming fruit is still on track with last year’s measurements. Fruit quality continues to appear good with no major issues. Growers are busy irrigating and fertilizing their orchards. Organic peaches will begin harvest Monday, June 10th.
Cherries
Harvest is set to begin Monday, June 10th. Salem will start machine picking and move to hand pick by the end of the week. Yakima and The Dalles will begin hand picking June 11th or 12th. The June crop outlook is down from the May estimate. This is due to the cool temperatures during the pollenization and fertilization period causing the bloom period to be too short and too cool for development.
Grapes
Growers are in the process of girdling and should be completed this week. Girdling is the removal of bark around the trunk or branch. This process increases berry weight and helps improve berry uniformity. Irrigating as needed.
Pears
Fruit continues to grow with sizes varying in all orchards from 1” to 1.9”. Heavy fruit set remains in many orchards making for a promising size crop. Growers continue to irrigate as triple digits are in the forecast.
Apricots
Fruit continues to turn pale green in most orchards. Summer is well under way with triple digits in the forecast prompting farmers to continue irrigation. Most fruit have not reached minimum size requirements yet and are continuing to grow. Anticipated harvest start date is between June 18-20.