Crop Report: May 2026

Organics – Transplanting has been completed. Plants are growing nicely and looking healthy. We experienced a light rain, which did not cause any troubles.

San Marzano Style Tomatoes – Transplanting has begun and and will continue through the start of May. Transplanting should be completed by mid-May. Plants are looking strong and healthy.

Conventional Tomatoes – Transplanting continues and going relatively smooth. Currently we are in the mid-season of our planting schedule. We experienced some rain recently, however it did not disrupt the plantings.

River and Linden Districts – Crop size appears to be average. Fruit is still developing ahead of normal timing. Trees are starting to drop small fruit. Cultural practices continue in all orchards.

Mendocino and Lake Districts – Nights have been cold, so growers have been monitoring for frost. There has been frost events in Lake County, but no damage has been seen. Crop appears to be average in size and remains to be ahead of last year’s timing.

Pacific Northwest – Bloom has ranged from average to below average across the Pacific Northwest. Orchards are currently between full bloom and petal fall/early fruit set. Recent cold nights have caused some sporadic frost damage across multiple growing districts, with additional frost risk still in the forecast. Damage is still being assessed as fruit sets. Too early to determine overall impact on the total volume, though there appears to be plenty of live flowers to support an average crop. Pear development remains 7–10 days ahead of last year, though cooler weather is slowing progress.

The Pacific Northwest cherries had an overall average bloom, with a slightly above-average bloom in the Willamette Valley. Cooler weather in recent weeks have led to some frost impacts across growing districts, with more noticeable effects in northern Washington and minimal impact in the Willamette Valley. Growers have been proactive in deploying frost protection measures, and these efforts continue as temperatures fluctuate. While evaluations are ongoing, early assessments suggest an overall reduction that remains within manageable levels, with ample healthy flowers in place to support an average crop. Most orchards are past full bloom and into petal fall, with early districts already seeing visible fruit on early varieties. Development remains 7–10 days ahead of last year, though recent cool temperatures have narrowed that gap. First harvest deliveries estimated to arrive around the first week of June.

There is a good to average bud set. Potential for a healthy crop of apples. Buds are primarily at tight cluster stage. Growers are finishing pruning the last of their orchards and preparing for the growing season.