These orchards include those with the wrong cultivar, older low density plantings and orchards whose owners are getting out of the business. The thinking is more attuned to growing what the market demands versus a selling what you grow philosophy. We are seeing many newer cultivars being planted including Gala, Jonagold and Fuji along with a few Gingergold and newer strains of McIntosh. Sweet Cherry growers are planting out trees on Gisela series rootstocks if they can get them. As of May 3 some early pink starting to show on Idared.
Early indications are excellent crop potential with lots of fat, healthy-looking fruit buds.
Many old blocks were removed over the winter and replant efforts have been brisk. In some early strawberry sites, quite a few buds have extended from the crown and a few opened flowers can be observed along the field edges, adjacent to wooded areas. Many of these flowers have been damaged by frost and because of advanced growth, growers are now scrambling to set up irrigation lines for potential use on frost control. Site preparation for new berry plantings are continuing and some new plantings have already gone in. Raspberries and blueberries are also well advanced do to the mild conditions.