Don’t let a dry summer fool you: The apples are hanging in there.
With about 50 apple orchards in Maine, and around 100 varieties to choose from, you can certainly take your pick – and now’s the time.
We checked in with people who know apples to their core, including four Maine orchardists, to get the lowdown on this year’s crop. We also asked them to share tips for making the most of your apple-picking adventure.
AN EXPERT OPINION
Renae Moran is an expert when it comes to apples. She’s a University of Maine fruit tree specialist, and on the Maine State Pomological Society executive board as an advisory member.
She said that with a few exceptions at a handful of orchards, this year’s apple crop is a big one. “Trees produced an abundance of bloom this spring, and pollination conditions were good in most places,” she said.
Moran said a larger crop may delay the start of ripening by several days and extend the harvest window to the end of October or even into November if temperatures stay above freezing.
This summer’s drought is something to keep an eye on for next year’s apple harvest though, because, according to Moran, it may impact bud formation, though it’s still too soon to say for sure.
Moran’s three favorite apples – none of them native to Maine but all found at Maine orchards – are Ginger Gold, SnowSweet and Macoun.
Moran’s advice to both novice and polished pickers is to pick apples in their season and to learn when favorite varieties will be ready to pick. Most orchards have that information available.
‘DRINK IT IN AND PICK THE APPLES’
Ellen McAdam of McDougal’s Orchard in Springvale is thrilled with this year’s crop.
“It looks amazing, the color is amazing and the size is good in spite of the fact that we haven’t had much rain. So things are looking really good, and there are a lot of people out and about and happy with it,” she said.
McAdam is a Macoun fan because of their crunchiness and sweetness. She’s also appreciates the Northern Spy, which tend to be large, making them clutch for baking. “You only need two or three for a pie and they make an outstanding one,” she said.
McAdam also loves Zestar apples, which she describes as little bit sweet and tart and akin to a Honeycrisp, but an earlier version that would tide Honeycrisp fans over till that variety is ready to pick.
Rather than practical advice, McAdam waxed poetic about apple picking. “Just be prepared for an absolutely wonderful, beautiful experience out in the orchard. You just kind of drink it in and pick the apples,” she said. “They’re relatively easy to pick and easy to find and it’s a wonderful outdoor activity.”
‘MY BIGGEST CROP EVER’
Hazel Hill Orchard has locations in Turner and Wayne. Both offer pick-your-own apples with an honor system: There’s a kiosk where you can pay for your haul.
Owner Tony Leavitt said the crop looks fantastic this year. “This will be unusual to say, but it’s probably my biggest crop ever, and I grew up on an apple farm,” said Leavitt.
Leavitt gave a nod to the Honeycrisp, but his favorite is a Cortland. “It’s an older apple and it’s got a wonderful sweet taste and it’s also good for cooking.”
Leavitt sells apple products including apple butter and applesauce, both made with McIntosh and Cortland apples. “I know those varieties are not as popular anymore, but they’re my best varieties,” he said.
Leavitt said apple picking is an ideal family activity, and because his trees are pruned and low to the ground, kids love to partake. He suggests sampling the goods right there. “Have your kids bite into an apple right off the tree,” he said. “It doesn’t taste the same as if you got it from a store, and it changes within a half hour.”
Allison and Brian Skoczenski have been the owners of Libby’s U-Pick Fruits in Limerick since last fall. Allison is on board with the assertion that this year is yielding an excellent crop.
The most popular varieties at Libby’s are the Honeycrisp and Macoun. Others in the mix are Empire, Jonagold and Ginger Gold.
Her favorite is the Empire, for its crispness and flavor.
Allison’s initial advice for apple picking technique was to remind pickers to twist the apple so that the stem stays on it. Then she interrupted her own train of thought and got philosophical, suggesting that visitors take their time and stroll through the rows and look up into the trees.
“It takes a certain skill to prune an apple tree, especially a dwarf or semi-dwarf. There’s an architecture to the tree, so it becomes an art when you’re pruning it,” she said. All of this takes place in the off-season. “All winter long, orchardists are out pruning. I think pickers can really see the love and time that goes into it.”
Purchase this image
‘A VERY GOOD GROWING SEASON’
Peter Ricker from Wallingford’s Orchard in Auburn attributed this year’s bountiful crop mostly to Mother Nature. “She just worked well with us this year. The trees in a sense had a rest last year because of last year’s horrific crop, so that gave them the resources and the reserve to handle a big bloom this year,” he said. “We’ve had what you’d call a very good growing season.”
Honeycrisp, as at many other orchards, is a star performer. Ricker also stands by the older varieties of McIntosh and Cortland. “Those three are our workhorses.”
Ricker’s favorite is normally an apple on the sweeter side, like a Gala or a Honeycrisp. “But a nice Cortland in season is hard to beat,” he said.
Ricker often tells visitors to try an apple before picking a large amount of them. “Any variety will change flavor a little every week. You don’t want to be picking an apple that you’re used to and have it taste different than you expect,” he said.
Dig into a list of apple orchards and u-pick locations statewide at maineapples.org.