The orchards are in bloom but this unusual cold spell in May has a Williamson fruit farmer worried.
"The blossoms in the trees can take a lot, but nights like we've been having when it gets to 20, 29 degrees. You kinda cross your fingers and hope you get through it," said David DeFisher of DeFisher Fruit Farms.
DeFisher said this is the part of the year where his stone fruit crops like cherry, peaches, and plums are ready to grow.
"We've been able to get no pollination. The bees aren't flying in this cold weather. They are not putting on their little jackets to go out and do what they are supposed to do," said DeFisher.
DeFisher relies on these fruits to make cider and distilled spirits, but if these cold snaps continue, it would have a widespread effect on the fruit farming industry in New York.
"It will start this vicious cycle of supply not being available to make the products that we make. If all of New York, gets froze out there is no stone fruit or apples in the area. Anybody that uses apples, eats apples will have to get them from different parts of the country which again will make it much more expensive for the consumer," he explained.
DeFisher also checked the condition of one of the cherry blossoms and found that the pistil is still green.
While they're still at the mercy of nature, this means that there's hope.
"There is still a chance that it will turn into a cherry. A lot of stuff you can't control and mother nature is one of them when the temperatures dip down like. The best thing you can do is put your slippers on, lean back on your recliner and have a cocktail and hope it passes," said DeFisher.
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May 10, 2020 at 07:52AM
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Cold Snap in May Has Williamson Fruit Farmer Worried - Spectrum News
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