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Crop Report: May 2025
Tomatoes
Organic Tomatoes
Transplanting was completed before Easter Sunday. The plants are growing well and look healthy. Blooms are appearing sporadically with expectation to see full bloom next week. Few plants are showing pea-sized fruit. Curly top lightly present.
Pear Tomatoes
Transplanting started last week, and we’re now about halfway through. The conditions have been excellent, and the process is going smoothly.
Conventional Tomatoes
Transplanting is progressing smoothly. We are currently about 65% complete with the transplanting process.
Peaches
Northern/Southern Conventional Peaches
Peach trees in the North have been thriving under warm, consistent weather conditions recently. Irrigation and soil preparation are ongoing, and thinning will begin soon to enhance fruit size and quality. The Northern field team has observed many doubles, where two developing peaches fuse into one. This can result from temperature
fluctuations or water stress, but it’s not a concern as thinning will address these issues.
Peaches are developing well with the recent warmer temperatures. Growing Degree Hours are higher than last year, suggesting a potentially earlier harvest. Growers have begun thinning their American, Calaveras, Loadel,
and Kader varieties. There’s an inconsistent fruit set, with some trees needing minimal thinning. We expect to see some sloughing in the later varieties by next week. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs will continue
to monitor pest populations as the fruit develops, and normal cultural practices are ongoing in all orchards.
Organic Peaches
In the Kingsburg area, growers have finished thinning the American and Calaveras varieties and will begin thinning the Stanislaus next week. All normal cultural practices are ongoing. In Madera, the thinning of
American and Calaveras varieties is complete. Growers have started thinning the Vilmos this week and will move on to the Kader next. Weed control and irrigation repairs are in progress, with irrigation being done as needed.
Pears
River/Linden Pears
Growers are irrigating orchards and applying other practices as needed. Weather has been adequate for fruit growth. Trees have begun shedding excess fruit, sustaining only what they can for growth. Singles and doubles are now visible. The volume will be ample for new pack.
Mendocino/Lake Pears
Weather has been ideal for fruit development and trees will soon shed excess fruit. Growers are irrigating ad hoc and applying other cultural practices in all orchards. Crop volume is anticipated to be sufficient this year.
Pacific Northwest Pears
The Pacific Northwest Bartlett pear crop is thriving, with clean crops and average to above-average crop
sets across all areas from Hood River to the Canadian border. Growers are actively irrigating and adhering to their IPM programs.
Grapes
Official bunch counts from our southernmost blocks are slightly higher than anticipated. Additional handwork, such as tipping and thinning will be necessary to enhance berry size. Crop potential appears promising, berry size may
pose a challenge for some. Crop protection materials are being applied, along with other ongoing cultural practices.
Cherries
The Pacific Northwest cherry crops are progressing well, with clean fruit and most orchards showing average to good crop sets. Pit hardening has started, and early cherries are measuring 12-16 mm in diameter. In the orchards, irrigation, spraying, and mowing are ongoing. The crop timing is ahead of last year by 5-9 days, with Salem area
degree days 7-9 days ahead and The Dalles 5-7 days ahead. We expect to receive our first cherries in about 30-35 days, between June 1 and 5.
Apricots
Sampling will be done early next week to check sizing as warmer weather to assist in fruit development. Extra tonnage to be expected as potential crop exceeds previous averages. Orchards continue to undergo normal cultural practices.
Apples
The Pacific Northwest apple crop is progressing excellently, with good quality fruit. Growers are actively irrigating, adhering to their IPM programs, and thinning the trees.