PUYALLUP, Wash. — The warmer weather has farmers from Puget Sound to Eastern Washington scrambling to harvest fruit earlier than usual and they say now is the time to buy fresh local produce.
Strawberries were ready about two weeks earlier than usual. Picha Farms in Puyallup had to scramble to find workers to harvest the berries.
Because of the warm, dry winter, spring fruits are coming in up to four weeks early.
Strawberries grown at Hayton Farms in the Skagit Valley were around four weeks early. A farmer from Eastern Washington said soft fruits like apricots were two weeks early. A cherry farmer from Royal City said the two-week jump on the season is helping his 16 varieties of red cherries.
"It allows each variety to have its own window. In a shortened season then everything's together and it's harder to pick it all,” said Kurt Tonnemaker with Tonnemaker Family Orchard.
Hayton Farms said its June-bearing strawberries will end early.
Farmers say because of the early season, people who want fresh local fruit should buy now.
"The strawberry season is more than well underway and that they're available now, not only in the stores but 'you pick' and we should be winding down with our strrawberry season by the end of the month"
KIRO
