Fruit growers keeping close eye on weather

PAYSON — This year's fruit crop started budding early, but Utah Valley growers are optimistic they will have a good crop.

"From here on out it becomes a critical time," grower Doug Rowley said.

Because budding started earlier than most growers like to see, farmers worry that cold spring storms could blow through and damage the crop.

"But the prospects are good," Rowley said.

Apricots are blooming now and peaches could start blooming in a few days. Apples and cherries will follow, growers say, with many trees in full bloom by mid-April.

Last week's below-normal temperatures caused concern among orchard owners. The apricots crop suffered some frost damage.

"We're still in good shape," grower Morris Ercanbrack said. "We only need a 5 percent bloom to have a crop."

Grower Robert McMullen started to worry when temperatures dropped into the 20s.

"Now it's just perfect," he said. "(But) the buds are a week earlier than last year."