The Yakima Valley cherry harvest is due in less than a month, so you'd think growers might be worried about the rain splitting cherries.

But not to worry, assures B.J. Thurlby, president of the Northwest Cherry Growers and Washington State Fruit Commission. Growers aren't concerned about this week's rain because the cherries haven't fully matured yet, he explains.

"We're more worried about not having enough water on the Roza, which is a major issue this year because of the drought situation," Thurlby says. "Actually I think most growers would say this rain is a good thing rather than a bad thing."

He says growers begin to worry when the rain is heavy and comes seven to 10 days before harvest. The concern is that the cherries will split. But Thurlby says growers have many options to help them avoid major damage including fans and helicopters to whisk away the wet just before harvest.

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