Farmers in Maryland are adjusting their schedules for harvesting this year, as several varieties of fruit are blooming early due to the warm weather, according to the Montgomery County Gazette.
The high temperatures have caused several types of fruit to arrive early, some by as much as a month. Strawberries, tart cherries, apricots, black raspberries, peaches and blueberries are just some of the fruits that have been ahead of schedule - and its causing many farmers to adjust on the fly.
"Trying to guess when things will be ready has been very difficult this year," Linda Lewis, part owner of Lewis Orchards, told the news source. Lewis and her family have had to change their normal work schedule in order to get the crop harvested in time. In nearly 30 years of helping with her family's farm, Lewis told the news outlet she's never seen peaches this early. At the earliest, the fruit is ready to pick by June 30.
It's not just work schedules that need to be adjusted. Maryland farmers say many customers are not aware the crops are ready earlier than usual. For orchards that allow visitors to pick their own fruit, it means welcoming people onto the property weeks ahead of the normal opening period.
Gene Kingsbury of Kingsbury Orchards says he'll be opening up his farm stand two weeks early. He hopes customers will realize he's open and ready to sell.
"The problem now is getting the word out to customers," Kingsbury told the news source.
Farmers dealing with early crops may want to invest in agricultural equipment to help ensure their crop is harvested on time. The online auction site IronPlanet offers a wide range of affordable equipment, including combine harvesters, tractors and much more. Farmers can also share their latest harvests, equipment and agricultural experiences on IronPlanet's Facebook page.
