03-06-2025
Local cherry farmer optimistic despite cooler temps slowing harvest
A cherry farmer we spoke to in North East is experiencing a delay in his harvest due to cooler temperatures, which are affecting the ripening process.
Jason Wagner of Westgate Farms reports that the cool weather is slowing down the ripening of cherries, though he remains optimistic about the crop's resilience. The farm, located on 4.5 acres, relies on 'pick your own' customers for a significant portion of its sales.
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'I'm not too afraid of it yet,' said Jason Wagner of Westgate Farms. 'Obviously, we need the sun and warm weather to ripen the cherries, but the cool weather here and there always makes them hardier so that they don't drop off in June.'
Wagner noted that while the cooler temperatures are slowing the ripening process, they also help make the cherries hardier. He explained that the cherries are less likely to drop prematurely in June due to the cooler weather.
However, Wagner expressed concerns about the potential for too much water, which can cause cherries to crack once they start to ripen. 'Right now we can still use the water which we have been getting plenty of because they will size up the cherries,' he said. 'But with cold weather, with a lot of wet doesn't dry off, so you can worry about fungus and stuff.'
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Wagner also mentioned that this year's weather is different compared to previous years, as he has not needed to irrigate the cherries to get them up to size, a task he hasn't had to do in five years.
Despite the challenges posed by the cooler temperatures, Wagner remains hopeful about the cherry crop, emphasizing the importance of a balance between sun and rain for optimal growth.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published.
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