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Idaho's climate is well adapted to the
commercial and home production of selected fruit
crops. Suitability of a particular crop, however,
depends on the region.
Southwestern Idaho, around Boise, has a
relatively mild climate, warm summers, and long growing
season. This area supports commercial apple, cherry,
plum, peach, wine grape, table grape, raspberry, and
strawberry production.
The Lewiston and Orofino areas along the
Clearwater River drainage also enjoy a mild climate and
long growing season. The same crops that do well in
Boise typically do well in this area, although varieties
are more limited.
Southeastern Idaho has a cool, short
growing season and cold winters. Raspberries, strawberries,
currants, gooseberries, apples, and some pears and plums can be
grown here. Blueberries can be grown in some locations
where acidic soils are found or can be created.
Northern and central Idaho are
mountainous and have highly variable climates, depending
on elevation. Choose cold hardy, early ripening crops
here. Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, currants,
gooseberries,
saskatoons, haskaps, apples, pears, and European plums
usually perform well in this region. Bonner County is
the home of several commercial blueberry growers and
market gardeners throughout the region produce a wide
variety of berries and some tree fruits. The hillsides
are covered with mountain huckleberry, Idaho's state
fruit, and huckleberry processors and marketers can be
found throughout the region. |
