Crop Report: March 8th, 2021
Tomatoes
Conventionals – Transplanting is scheduled to begin sometime March 15th-20th with weather permitting.
Organics – Transplanting began the end of February. Conditions are favorable as they continue to transplant this week. All transplanting should be completed by the end of the week.
Peaches
Organics – Full bloom was called March 5th. All normal cultural practices and crop protection continue.
Conventionals – Full bloom is slowly beginning based on variety and field location which is on trend with last year. Rain totals are 68% of normal to date. Water may be an issue later in the season as water allocations have been cut back this year. Chilling hours were the highest seen in the last 5 years. Trees need adequate chilling hours to ensure they have a proper rest period and a good fruit set before beginning the growing process again with bloom. Growers continue with late pruning and general orchard maintenance.
Pears
Trees are showing various stages of bloom throughout orchards. Full bloom is expected to be March 23rd. It was a dry winter for most with some orchards receiving as little as 25% of average rainwater. This means growers will have to irrigate more which may be an issue with water shortages this year. All normal cultural practices and crop protections continue.
Grapes
Vineyards have been tied, pruned, and set up for frost protection. Bud break is expected in the next week or so. All normal cultural practices and crop protections continue.
Cherries
Full bloom is projected for April 10th in the Willamette Valley as well as The Dalles. Harvest is estimated to begin June 7-10 is average weather continues. All cultural practices and crop protection continue as needed.
Apricots
Full bloom began February 27th, two days earlier than last year. Petal fall is currently underway. Based on the large bloom this year and small crop size in 2020, growers are anticipating an above average crop size if Mother Nature cooperates.