WORTH THE WAIT, WORTH THE GAMBLE

WHEN WILL BAYFIELD SWEET CHERRIES BE RIPE?

QUESTION ANSWERED

Sunday, 8:30 AM.  60 degrees F at the ferry dock, the same on the back porch.  Wind variable and calm. The sky is mostly overcast, with some dark clouds beneath, but the sun is attempting to shine through. The humidity is 89%.  We had a rain shower last night, and we may get another today.. The high will be around 70 today through Wednesday, when we may have yet another shower,  We will then warm up some, with clear skies through next weekend.  No need to water anything but pots and baskets so far.
   One of life's most important current event questions is: when will Bahyfield's sweet cherries be ripe?  According to Apple Hill Orchard, the only Bayfield grower of true sweet cherries, about July 13.
   First to ripen will be the cultivar 'Cavilier', followed by 'Lapin' about ten days later.  Both are hardy here once established, and in my opinion are just as good as the much vaunted 'Bing' variety, which is not hardy here.  Despite what the sign says, according to my records the harvest is right about on time.
   There are other Bayfield orchards that grow tart pie cherries, but Apple Hill, at the junction of Bayfield county highways I and J are the only local growers of sweet cherries, which are something of a crap shoot to grow, the crops sometimes being lost to late frosts or lack of pollinators.  But the gamble is evidently worth it when a bumper crop sells out.  I think they have had only one really poor crop since we have lived here.