Greenhouse grown cherries give Washington grower a head start
Following low temperatures in Washington last week, a small portion of the upcoming cherry crop is likely affected.
“The temperature went down to 24-25 degrees Fahrenheit. We’re seeing damage already but it depends on the area. Kennewick and Foster, WA got some damage. It’s about five percent of the early districts that are affected,” says Kam Chauhan of FreshPack Export Sales based in British Columbia and Washington.
That said, the temperatures hit what’s anticipated to be a bumper crop. “Last year was a lighter crop but this year we’ve had a lot of chill hours and lots of good weather so the buds are overloaded,” says Chauhan, noting that good cherry crops are anticipated from Oregon, California and British Columbia, Canada as well.