Red Light, Green Light

Aug 2, 2022

Do you remember the game “Red Light, Green Light”? You know, the one where everyone lines up at the starting point, and then the leader yells “green light” and you run as fast as you can until they say, “red light”. It’s a game of starts and stops. Well, 2022 seems like a “Red Light, Green Light” kind of year.

(Red Light) It started in the spring during which we experienced very cool and wet conditions. Our bloom was sporadic and drawn out, and the pollinators were not super active. Then we had uncharacteristically high temperatures the second week in May (Green Light). You might remember those 90+ degree temps. All of a sudden, our strawberry patch flushed with ripe berries. We opened the patch for u-picking on a Saturday morning, and then by the next week the temperatures had dropped and stayed in the 50–60-degree range for several days (Red Light). Our berry patch never fully recovered.

The sweet cherries were right on time, ripening around Memorial Day, and this year’s crop was fantastic (Green Light). Full speed ahead! The cherry harvest was fast and furious, lasting around two weeks. We so enjoyed having many, many families out to participate in our first ever pick-your-own cherry event.

Our peaches seem to be on a delayed schedule this year due to their sensitivity and responsiveness to weather conditions (Red Light). The cool spring temperatures slowed early development, and then a scorching hot and dry June seemingly caused the trees to “pause” fruit ripening and conserve resources until we finally received some much-needed rain. At last, we found a regular pattern of peach picking in mid-July and our activity increased significantly (Green Light).

Then rain. Lots of rain. (Red Light). We need rain (some, but not all the rain at one time) You see, we don’t pick peaches in the rain. It messes up the fuzz causing them to look weird. Also, the rain can pool in the stem wells and soften the peach causing them to fall or drops of rain hang on the bottom of the peach and can cause it to become soggy. Also, it’s not very safe for us to be climbing wet ladders or working from a slick wagon. Delayed start times and flexible staff allowed us to supply peaches for our stand and markets, but recent weeks have caused lots of Red Light/Green Light situations.

You have the Green Light to come visit us to pick your own fruit (or get some pre-picked) as we push through this final month of peach season and transition into the upcoming apple season. We hope to see you soon.