Buckle up everyone, cherry season is here! The first cherries on the scene are red cherries coming from Okanogan Producers Marketing Association and Rainer cherries coming from Collins Family Orchard, and thanks to nearly perfect growing conditions, they’re arriving earlier than expected. Due to relatively mild winter and ideal spring weather, cherry trees experienced an exceptionally heavy bloom this year across all varieties. A few 100-degree days helped boost sugar levels and deepen that signature red color, while the absence of late frosts allowed the crop to mature steadily and smoothly.

Now, with trees full and daytime temps dipping into the 80s, it’s prime harvest time—cool enough for pickers to work comfortably without the fruit overheating. According to OPMA, the harvest is expected to continue through July, promising big, firm cherries with perfectly balanced sweetness!