Full bloom on pears occurred during the final week of April for Duckwall Fruit Company, a pear shipper with its headquarters and packing house located in Hood River.
This year’s timing is three weeks behind the 2016 crop which was one of the earliest crops in history and is 7-10 days later than normal.
“In 2016, we started picking and packing pears the last week of July,” stated sales manager Ed Weathers, “This year, with bloom being 7-10 days later than normal, and three weeks behind last year, we won’t start our harvest on Bartletts and Starkcrimson until later August.”
A longer than usual winter in Hood River, complete with an above average snow pack and a cool spring has pushed back the timing of the 2017 crop. Warmer weather is expected the first week of May though, with temperatures pushing into the mid 80s.
Photo: Grower Dane Klindt and Duckwall field consultant Mark Mears
Bartletts and Starkrimson are the first pear varieties that will be picked and harvest is estimated to begin by late August. Green Anjou, Red Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Forelle and Seckel are typically 3 weeks behind Bartletts and should start mid-September. Overall, harvest will run through October.
Duckwall Fruit Company is also expanding their pouch bag product offerings after a successful launch of the Duckwall Fruit Company pear pouch bag in 2016. “We will have variety specific pouch bags available for the 2017 season.”
Contact:
Ed Weathers
Duckwall Fruit Company
Tel: 541-354-1694
