LAFAYETTE -- Thanks to the warm weather this summer Central New York's apple growers are gearing up for an early harvest.
Peter Fleckenstein of Beak & Skiff Apple Farm in Lafayette says this years apple crop should be two weeks ahead of schedule. "The more sunlight, the more heat enhances the growing process and the apple ends up a little bit larger," he says. Fleckenstein says the record warmth in April got the season off to an early start and the hot and sunny summer has kept the crop on the fast track.
Not only are apples growing more quickly this year, Fleckenstein says they should be sweeter as well. "with the high temperatures the apple has a lot higher sugar content so they should be a lot sweeter as well," he says.
Juicing apples are already being harvested. Other varieties like Empire, Macintosh and Gala will be ready to be picked by the public on August 21st. Fleckenstein says the challenge will be to get people to come out and pick apples earlier than they are used to. "what really makes people come out are a couple of cool, clear nights. They have to wake up and put on a sweat shirt. It just triggers them to think oh yeah it's time for apple picking," he says.
For more information, visit the Beak & Skiff website, the Beak & Skiff Apple Farm Facebook page, and the NY Apple Country webpage.
