HOLLIS — As the temperatures warm and the calendar turns towards summer, fruit growers across the state are tending to their trees to grow delicious, locally-grown fruits.

For some members of the New Hampshire Fruit Growers Association, cherries are the first fruit crop of the year.

This year’s fruit growing season had an early start which made growers nervous. This was especially true for cherry growers, as the fruit is delicate and sensitive to temperature changes. However, growers’ concerns were eventually alleviated as Giff Burnap of Butternut Farm, LLC in Farmington explained.

“Although the spring started very early this season, which had us all concerned due to the decreased tolerance to cold injury that fruit buds have once they’ve broken dormancy, it has been a fruit-friendly spring so far,” said Burnap.

After a successful bloom, New Hampshire-grown cherries are on track for a good year.

“Here at Butternut Farm our sweet and sour cherry crops have just finished blooming and we are seeing tiny fruit beginning to grow,” said Burnap. “We can expect the pick-your-own cherry harvest to begin by the Fourth of July, and it looks like it will be a good one.”

The cherry harvest typically takes place in late June or early July and lasts up to three weeks.

After a challenging 2023 season that saw fruit crops across the state get damaged or destroyed by weather anomalies, growers are looking ahead to this year’s fruit-growing season.

“In general, across most of New Hampshire I expect the fruit crops are looking great and eager fruit enthusiasts should expect an abundant harvest this summer and fall at their favorite local fruit farm,” said Burnap.

To stay up to date on the cherries and other fruits throughout the season, find an orchard near you on the NHFGA website at https://www.nhfruitgrowers.org/find-an-orchard/.