From November to March the weather in Kona is cool and dry, which helps the current crop to mature and the flower buds form for the next crop. The wet season begins in late February and each big rainfall causes the coffee trees to erupt in successive flowerings. The branches appear to be covered with a frosting of snow. Starting in May the tree branches will be choked with rows of green berries that swell as they ripen into bright red coffee cherries. The first pickings are small and start in late August and continue to January. The peak season is in November, usually coinciding with the Kona Coffee Festival. Between managing our farms and participating in Festival events we farmers are usually pretty worn out by early December. As you drive through the Kona Coffee Belt watch for workers with baskets strapped or harnessed on picking the crop.