Cold Spell Hits Mid-Columbia Region
April 3, 2015 With warmer temperatures and an earlier-than-usual bloom, cherry growers in the Mid-Columbia region broke out wind machines and drip irrigation to stave off the blossoms and grapevines from cold temperatures.
Temperatures in the area dropped to the high 20s or low 30s, reports the Tri-City Herald.
Cherry trees in Franklin County, WA, are 10 days early, and are in full bloom, reports The Herald.
Nic Loyd of Washington State University’s AgWeatherNet told the Herald freezing temperatures were sporadic, however, the possibility of frost was expected to continue through the weekend.
Marc Nelson of Gordon Brothers Family Vineyards in Pasco, WA, says irrigation helped with frost control on his cherry trees and buds on the grapevines are just developing.
Ron Reimann of T&R Farms in Pasco, WA, said his apples are two weeks ahead of last year and three weeks ahead of 2013. He used wind machines to help protect his buds on his trees.
Concord grapes at Tim Grow’s vineyard in Grandview, WA, are two weeks ahead, with bud break last week.
Nelson said he has had no issues finding workers yet. He has a small local crew of up to 10 people who help with pruning and other prep work in the vineyards and orchards. But he’ll need about 100 workers to pick his cherries when they ripen.
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