It’s official—summer is finally coming to an end and fall is just beginning. That means it’s finally time for pumpkin spice lattes, watching the leaves change colors, and, of course, apple season. But will this summer’s excessive heat and lack of rain affect the apple crop and impact apple picking season? Farmers warn there could be marked differences.
Not only are apples the most consumed fruit in the U.S. (closely followed by oranges), but American farmers produce an average of 240 million bushels of apples each year, the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) reported. Unfortunately, mother nature may have different plans for apples this year, as troubling drought conditions have hit the U.S. in record numbers.
It’s been a very hot and dry summer, with a big lack of rainfall, and “it’s really tough on the crops,” says David Butler, long-time farmer and the owner of Sky Top Orchard. “We’re very fortunate we have a full crop this year,” he says, however, “we have noticed quite a few customers are coming to us because some orchards on the East Coast haven’t faired as well.”
Farmers and orchard owners have had to rely mainly on irrigation systems to maintain their apple trees, so far this year. But even with certain adjustments, Butler says, “quality goes down.” Due to the fact that “it’s been awfully hot in many zones,” he explains, “when it gets above 90 [degrees] and the fruit is ripening, it’s very hard on it.”
Read on to find out what this sweet, juicy fruit is going to look like, possibly taste like, and some tips for your next apple picking extravaganza.
1
Apples might be smaller
Although there has been much less rainfall across the board, the amount of apples being grown hasn’t seen a dip, as the proportions of the fruit have. “Our crop size, quantity-wise, looks great,” says Alison Jaswell, co-owner and farmer of Jaswell’s Farm. On the other hand, “you may notice that the actual size may be a bit smaller than you’ve seen in years past,” she explains.
Growing apples is a year-round operation, Jaswell says, and the fruit can require up to about 20 inches (1.7 ac-ft) of water during the growing process. While weather conditions have recently played a part in whether or not an apple will be bigger than the palm of your hand this season, “size can vary year to year regardless,” she says.
Outside of the environment, the sizing of apples can be a result of many factors, such as fertilizer, crop load (how many apple trees and their distance between each other), and even, the genetics of the fruit itself.
