Golden Harvest Farm and other orchards in the Hudson Valley have overcome last year's challenges, looking forward to a promising apple season. Doug Grout, a local grower, remains cautiously optimistic about the current crop, highlighting the unpredictable nature of agriculture. The season, which kicks off in August in the Hudson Valley and extends statewide by early September, features a variety of apples including Pristines, Galas, Zestar, and Honeycrisps, with McIntoshes, Empires, Granny Smiths, and Fujis maturing throughout the season.
Jim Boehm of Boehm Farm in Coxsackie notes the good condition of his apples, though he acknowledges the potential threat of hailstorms. Apples, sensitive to environmental conditions, can suffer from issues like bruising, underdevelopment, or diseases such as fire blight. The industry faced significant challenges last year, including a devastating frost on May 18, excessive rain, and smoke from Canadian wildfires, which impacted growth and blooming times. However, this year has seen better conditions, despite early threats of frost and a heatwave.
Source: dailygazette.com