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Palisade Farmers Pick From Early Harvest

by KREX News Room
by Jordan Sherman

Story Created: Jun 26, 2012 at 6:02 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 28, 2012 at 2:16 PM MDT

PALISADE, Colo.- Hot temperatures have led to an early harvest in Palisade.

Farmers are already beginning to pick their famous Palisade peaches at least a week ahead of schedule.

Steven Sherer, owner of Aloha Organic Fruits, said, "Normally my earliest peach comes off the tree somewhere around the first part of July. We're starting almost 10 full days early this year."

Others say it's important to pick the fruit when it is ripe, because otherwise, it can go bad quickly.

Carol Zadrozny, owner of Z's Orchard, said, "With this heat, things can go from ripe to not ripe in one day."

The early harvest has come at a price to area farmers, since it's brought a lack of rainfall and water concerns. Sherer said, "I've had to increase my watering almost double what it has been in the previous years."

Unfortunately for the farmers, the heat is expected to stick around. Farmers are, however, seeing their produce sell at the market.

Despite the early harvest, items are flying off the shelves. Sherer said, "They are showing up at the markets, they are showing up at my store."

Farmers say they anticipate the harvest will end about a week earlier this year due to the warmer weather.

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