In Northeast Wisconsin, the transition into fall brings with it the anticipation of apple and pumpkin picking. However, this season's weather patterns have led to a deviation in the typical harvest timeline for these crops. An abundance of rainfall earlier in the year initially posed challenges but ultimately contributed to a bountiful apple harvest, as observed by Greg Hofacker of Hofacker's Hillside Orchard in Appleton and Greg 'Sharky' Sprangers of Sharky's Orchard in Buchanan. The increased moisture not only resulted in a larger quantity of apples but also in larger fruit sizes, particularly noted in the Cortland variety.
Despite the positive outcome for apple yields, the weather has also expedited the ripening process, causing apples to mature one to two weeks ahead of schedule. This has presented logistical challenges for orchard operators, who now face the task of harvesting multiple apple varieties simultaneously. The absence of storage facilities further complicates the situation, as there is a reliance on direct sales to customers for freshly picked apples. The accelerated ripening has led to an abundance of fruit ready for picking at once, overwhelming the capacity of pick-your-own visitors.
Conversely, the pumpkin harvest in the region has been delayed by the same weather conditions that benefitted the apple crop. According to Hofacker, the expected readiness of pumpkins has been pushed back from the beginning of October to mid-month, effectively shortening the pumpkin picking season to two weeks. Despite these adjustments in the harvest calendar, the overall strength of the pumpkin crop remains unaffected.
Source: WTAQ