Spring in Eastern Washington is a season unlike any other. The mornings begin with a crips chill, the skies stretch wide and clear, and the orchards slowly awaken with a gentle buzz of activity. For many growers, this is one of the most rewarding moments of the year, second only to harvest, because it marks the beginning of something new. And it all starts with flowers.
Cherries, apples, and pears each follow a similar journey from blossom to fruit. Their flowers contain both male and female parts, and fruit only forms when pollen from the male parts successfully reaches the female parts. Bees make this magic happen, moving from bloom to bloom, transferring pollen as they go.
But pollination isn’t as simple as it sounds. Many trees require cross-pollination from different varieties of fruit to grow. Bartless pears, for example, can’t pollinate each other – they need different varieties like Bosc and Anjou nearby. The same goes for cherries: yellow cherries need the help of dark sweet cherries, and vice versa, to complete the process.
Weather plays just as crucial a role as pollinators. Mild temperatures and calm, sunny days create the perfect conditions for pollination. But if it gets too warm, pollen can dry out. If frost hits, it can damage the flowers before they ever have a chance to develop.
When everything comes together – healthy blooms, active bees, and just the right weather – the results feel almost magical. Trees burst with blooms, and the orchards hum with activity. It’s a time of quiet productivity, full of potential.
