Sweet cherries nearly ripe

Leelanau sweet cherries are ready to pick, and in plenty of time for the Fourth of July.

Sweets got an early start with a warm spring, and never looked back, according to Centerville Township grower Greg Williams. He expects crews on Monday to start hand-picking Benton variety sweets, which are promoted as having a “rich mahogany skin color and pure flavor.” They ripen about a week earlier than better-known varieties of sweet cherries.

It’s nail-biting time for Williams, who’s battling disease, pests and a labor shortage on the eve of the harvest.