A warm, dry spring is causing farmers fruit crops to ripen early, according to Whidbey Island farmers.

“I’ve been here 25 years and I’ve never seen it like this,” said Josette Hendrix, owner of Shipki Farm Organics in Clinton. “It seems like they are 2-3 weeks ahead.”

Hendrix reported that their plums and raspberries are coming in faster than ever.

Similarly, blueberries, strawberries and other fruit should be harvested around two weeks earlier than usual, according to Linda White, owner of Crescent Harbor Blueberry Farm in Oak Harbor.

While the farm’s famous Patriot variety are typically among the first to ripen each season, the warmth of the spring has caused them to ripen even earlier.

The blues normally peak right after Father’s Day, June 21, but this year they are expecting them to be ready to pick two weeks earlier, White said.

She added that in the past three years, a wet, cold spring delayed the blueberries a little and that this year is very different.

“This year the dry and warm weather has expedited the ripening process,” White said.

The trend seems to be island-wide.

Renee Mueller, owner of Bell’s Farm on Central Whidbey said that their strawberries will be ripe early as well.

“They’re coming on fast,” Mueller said.