Cold and Heat Bring Harvest Time Early for Montana Cherry Growers

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — A freeze in November followed by a hot spring and summer have smaller, sweeter cherries being harvested about a week earlier than usual.

The Daily Inter Lake reports (http://bit.ly/1SkTfkG) the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association has a membership of about 75 growers, and board member Ken Edgington says the cherry crop has come in a week to 12 days early for many.

Independent grower Dan Getman says November's freeze damaged trees and limited the number of cherry buds. He said rather than this being a negative, it allowed for all the nutrients to be absorbed by fewer fruit, making them sweeter.

Edgington said a variety of weather conditions were a factor in this year's crop.

The commercial cherry harvest will last through July.