It’s late winter in the Yakima Valley, bringing a quiet shift across our orchards. While the trees may still appear to be sleeping, subtle changes are beginning to unfold. As temperatures occasionally climb into the 50s, we’re seeing the first signs of bud movement, just a touch of green or pink at the tips of some buds.
This is a critical stage, as trees slowly lose their winter hardiness, and they become more sensitive to potential freeze events. Our teams closely monitor both weather patterns and bud development to stay ahead of any sudden cold snaps or unexpected changes.
During this time, our team is carefully analyzing the buds, cutting and examining them to determine what’s developing inside. Flower buds contain the early building blocks of fruit, such as the ovaries, while leaf buds remain more linear in structure. This early evaluation guides our first thinning decisions, helping us balance crop load. Too much fruit can mean smaller sizes; too little can impact overall yields.
