Fruit growers are gearing up for harvest season as the Goulburn Valley swelters under an unusually hot November sun.

Cherries and apricots are coming into season at the moment, and both need to overcome obstacles in the coming weeks and months.

Fruit Growers Victoria president John Wilson said this month's heatwave was making conditions tough for growers.

"Any adverse weather conditions require greater attention," Mr Wilson said.

"Growers have to be mindful of not dehydrating the tree but also not splitting or damaging fruit."

Mr Wilson said while the past few weeks had been unseasonably hot, the temperature would not have a damaging effect on production.

"Fruit can generally handle the high 30s (C) - it's just when you get up to the really extreme temperatures for an extended period of time that you start to have problems."

Tatura cherry grower Vince Vigliaturo said he wasn't too concerned with the heat at this stage.

"Cherries tend to handle the heat pretty well," Mr Vigliaturo said.

"They don't really have a problem with sunburn, and irrigation water won't slit them much - it's more rainwater."

However Mr Vigliaturo agreed this month's high temperatures were a first.

"We haven't really had this sort of heat at this time of year, so it's a bit unknown."

Ardmona orchardist Peter Crosbie said heat was the least of his concerns for the season ahead.

"When apricots start to mature, any rain slits them down the middle like someone's cut them with a pocket knife," he said.

"Heavy rain around Christmas-time would be a disaster."

However, it is hail that has the fruit grower worried in the short term.

"Hail would be disastrous at the moment because the fruit is very exposed," Mr Crosbie said.

He said the season was looking good for some fruits but not for others.

"Apricots seem to have a fairto-medium crop this year, but we will only get about half our usual Williams pear crop," he said.

"We think the extreme heat at picking time last year caused the drop-off."

Mr Crosbie said fungus levels were lower this season, while peaches were a concern due to lack of demand.

Words and pictures:

Jordan Oliver