DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Door County cherry blossoms are on display, but with cold, wet spring conditions stretching through April, some were a little concerned about the 2022 growing season.
“We were way behind, we were thinking like 10 days, two weeks behind. But now, we’re only about a week behind, due to the warm weather the last week. So yeah, things have caught up very quickly,” said Dave Schartner, Schartner’s Farm Market Owner.
Schartner tells FFOX 11 sweet cherry trees at the site south of Egg Harbor bloomed a few days ago, and could peak in a matter of days. He also grows tart cherries, which he says typically bloom about a week after the sweets. But on Tuesday, those tart cherry blossoms filled parts of the orchard too.
“The tarts are going to be in full bloom this weekend,” said Schartner.
Schartner says the cherry bloom ties in with farm stands opening around the county.
“We have rhubarb, asparagus. We always do our pies, and the maple syrup that we make this spring is all bottled and ready to go.”
Steve Keller and his wife Anna Keller, make a point to stop on their way home to suburban Chicago. They say fresh produce puts them in the mood for spring.
“It certainly does. In fact, we know this is a little early in the season to have such warm weather here, but we’ll be back in another few weeks,” said Steve Keller, Bolingbrook, Illinois.
“Every day has been lovely. Very nice,” said Anna Keller, Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Now there cherry blossoms too.
“I think it’s wonderful, unless you have allergies, it’s wonderful,” she said.
She says she has allergies.
“I do, but that’s okay. I don’t mind. I’ll put up with it. It’s gorgeous.”
Meanwhile Dave Schartner says he’s cautiously optimistic about the season.
“We’ll always get a little cold. It just depends on how cold we get. As long as we don’t catch a frost in the next two weeks, we’ll be fine,” he said.
Growers say Door County Cherries typically take about 60 days to mature. Mark your calendars. Harvest is anticipated by the middle of July.
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