Cherry Weather Better Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. Northwest cherry harvest is set to begin in a matter of days.
And, BJ Thurlby, President of the Northwest Cherry Growers, says at least to this point, we haven’t seen the weather extremes of the past few years …
THURLBY … “Going back to 2021, we had a “heat dome” where the temperatures got up to 118. And then the next year we got snow-on-bloom. And last year we had California three weeks late. So, we’re looking for just an assemblance, Bob, and assemblance of a normal year, (laughs).”
And so far, Thurlby says so good …
THURLBY … “We want to see less weather extremes and more what we’re seeing so far, which is 70-degrees, perfect growing weather for cherries. You know we like to see some of these days in the 80s because that kind of spurs cell division and increases your sugar buildup.”
And the forecast, Thurlby says seems to suggest just that …
THURBLY … “It looks like, like you said, the weather forecast isn’t crazy hot here over the next month. It’s going to be reasonably, moderately mild. So, I’ll just tell you, that’s perfect cherry growing weather.”
But heat, Thurlby says is part of our Eastern Washington “normal” …
THURLBY … “This is Eastern Washington. We’re going to have our fair share of 100-degree days and cherries are, can survive the 100-degree heat. That’s not a problem but throw on 18 more degrees and it’s a whole different animal.”
Again, that’s BJ Thurlby, president of the Northwest Cherry Growers.
