Early preliminary samples show good news for the red fruit.
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With the blooming season just weeks away there's some sweet news for cherry farmers. The Horticultural Research Station in Leelanau County says so far so good for the favorite red fruit. Local farmers say the snowy, but not extremely cold temperatures this winter helped with the crop. But it's still early in the season and anything can happen especially when you're dealing with Mother Nature.
"What we always worry about in spring is pollination weather. Bees don't like to fly when it's really windy so we like nice sunny warm calm days," said Nikki Rothwell.
"We've come through a really nice winter. We don't see any significant damage winter type damage. We're a long way from getting out of the woods yet. We've got to get through this spring," said local farmer Garry Bardenhagen.
Farmers say the crop should begin to bloom in a couple of weeks and if everything goes as planned should be ready to harvest mid July. Last year the cherry crop was lighter than expected. That's mainly due to a cold frost last May.
