The apple-growing industry in Vermont is set to produce a bumper crop this year. It’s a noticeable increase from last year’s plagued by late-spring freeze. Terence Bradshaw, a professor and specialist in fruit from the University of Vermont, confirmed that the outlook is positive, noting that many orchards have reported higher yields than the norm.

The significant frost that occurred in the month of May 2023 brought temperatures down to 20s which adversely affected blueberries, apple and the blooming grapes in the moment. The event affected up to 85 percent of the orchards in Vermont, and half of them suffered significant loss and lower yields. The cycle of the apple’s production which is dependent on branches that are 2 years and older has enabled an incredibly strong recovery this year. Orchards which had poor yields last year have the possibility of a bigger yield this year because of the savings in resources geared towards growing buds in the coming season.

In the case of Peck Farm Orchard in East Montpelier that suffered a 60% loss of its harvest due in 2023 due to the freezing which is expected to produce the biggest harvest of their history. Daniel Bair, co-owner of the farm, discussed the ability of agriculture to withstand hardship and noted the dramatic increase in the fruit’s and its quality over the previous.

Vermont orchards each year produce around 1 million bushels worth of apples that is roughly 40 million lbs, and their pick-your-own orchards drawing visitors with 100,000 bushels per year. It is estimated that the U.S. Apple Association forecasts an apple-producing year all over the nation, despite a reduction of 2% from last year’s record-breaking harvest of that there will be nearly 282 million bushels in the 2024-25 year of the crop.

Orchards located near Lake Champlain, such as Hackett’s Orchard located in South Hero, benefited from the microclimate of the lake that offered some relief from freezing. Similar to Yates Family Orchard in Hinesburg which was not affected by the freezing temperatures of last year, expects the best season for picking your own.

The orchards in Vermont have been robust against floods, Bradshaw cautions that the record-breaking crops this year might not happen again this year, even though an excellent crop can be anticipated, barring extreme weather. The two orchards Peck Farm Orchard and Hackett’s Orchard have altered their season schedules to accommodate the earlier start of the current crop and a delayed bloom in turn.

Hackett’s Orchard, in particular extends the growing of its apple varieties in order to increase the flavor and colors the apples, an idea that was prompted by recent cool evening temperatures. The orchard anticipates welcoming the next generation of families to pick apples,, highlighting the pleasure of the fall conditions and their selection of apple varieties that are a favorite.

Source: Mountain Times