Most years, the California stone fruit deal begins in late April, with apricots and cherries leading the way. This year, however, various factors have combined to delay the early varieties by as much as two weeks. Find out when to expect apricots and cherries.

California Cherry season is just around the corner and we anticipate our first land of cherries the week of May 15th. The cherry season is very short in California and typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks depending on the weather or variety. This year we are anticipating a healthy crop. Growers were not affected heavily by frost and the trees have a healthy set.

California Organic Asparagus from Coastal View Produce in the Salinas Valley is a sure sign Spring is here! For over 35 years Coastal View Produce has been growing high-quality, organic asparagus in between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountain ranges in the heart of the Salinas Valley. The Mediterranean climate and fertile soil make it an ideal growing region for asparagus. Coastal View Produce asparagus, weather dependent, is available through July 4th.

The Durondeau Pear has a golden exterior with streaks of red blush and is covered all over in a soft russet. They are a bit tart with a crisp bite and a floral flavor.

During the winter months many growers move their operations from the Salinas and San Joaquin Valley down to Yuma, Arizona and the California desert. As the weather warms up historically in March, the growing areas move north from Mexico and the California desert to the Salinas Valley. Growers are saying this is the latest, wettest and most difficult transition they have experienced. Expect shortages on your favorite produce in April and May.

High temperatures and humidity for an extended period of time create the perfect conditions for aphids and mildew quality issues. This week temperatures in the California desert regions moved into the 70’s and low 80’s and all desert vendors are seeing increasing mildew and aphid pressure on warm veg items.

Originating in France, the Abate Fetel pear has an elegant elongated shape with yellow skin that often is russeted. Sweet and aromatic, this pear is wonderful for cooking and eating out of hand. The Abate Fetel softens quickly so be sure to enjoy this variety while still slightly firm.

After banana bunches are harvested they are placed on hooks on a cable, pulled through the farm by hand and brought into an area outside the packing shed to be washed. They are washing away bugs, dirt and latex from the bananas. Then a worker will go through each bunch of bananas and cut off one banana to test for maturity and core development.

Banana hands size up smaller in the winter and larger in the summer when it is hotter. Winter in the northern hemisphere is summer in the southern hemisphere. Know what to expect when buying bananas, by understanding the growing regions and seasonality.