OROVILLE – Cherry harvest is underway in the North Okanogan with Lapins and Rainiers the main varieties being picked right now.

“We haven’t reached the peak of harvest yet, but probably will by Friday,” said Greg Moser, Manager of Gold Digger Apples, Inc. “When the cherries hit their peak we will probably be picking for six to seven days at that plateau.”

Moser said the quality of the cherries is looking good, despite some unwanted rainfall.

“We have had very minimal damage due to splits from the rain. I think it has been minimal due to a combination of cooler weather and the cherries not being as advanced as they normally would be this time of year,” Moser said.

The growers’ cooperative has about 400 people working the harvest right now between workers in the orchard and the packing facility, according to Moser.

After the Lapins and Rainiers are harvested the next varieties to come to maturity will be the Skeenas and Sweethearts, Moser said.