REGION — Two local apple producers are seeing issues with their crops but say there are still plenty of apples to pick.

Apples are ready for picking at two local orchards. This photo at Lane Road Orchard in New Sharon shows what the apples looked like in June 2021. File photo/Livermore Falls Advertiser

Jodi Hollingsworth with Morrison Hill Apple Orchard, 272 Morrison Hill Rd, Farmington, said Sept. 10 the crop seems to be pretty good. The orchard opened for picking on Thursday, Sept. 12, and will be open most days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, she noted.

The Morrison Hill orchard was the only local one not impacted by a May freeze last year.

“We have all the varieties,” she said. “We managed to have them all come on to the trees. They do seem to be falling. I am not sure if the crop is too thick in places or what is causing that but I am quite sure that we are going to have a good year for pick your own. People will be able to find want they want.”

When asked about rain, Hollingsworth said the rain this summer didn’t seem to affect the crop’s quality. If it is raining this fall, she wouldn’t recommend picking but “If you don’t mind getting wet, people can go pick,” she stated. “We do have plastic bags they can use. The stand and the cidery will be open. We do have indoor seating.”

Hollingsworth said the farmstand plans to open on Monday, will be open from about 9:30 a.m. until dark. Apples already picked may be purchased there. Until then, apples will be available at the cidery which is open 4- 7 p.m. Friday, 12-7 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 p.m. Sunday.

Hard and regular cider is sold there along with cider donuts when it opens, pizza and the possibility of other food options, she said.

Richard Murphy with Lane Road Orchard at 258 Lane Road in New Sharon later Tuesday, Sept. 10, said pick your own is already open. “I have a very small crop this year due to a lot of the trees went biennial on me and took the year off on me,” he noted. “I still have enough to run my U-pick and I will be picking every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Halloween.”

Murphy said he may have aronia syrup and jelly to sell later in the season, probably October.

The apples are very good size and of top quality, he said. “There is no scab, no bugs, no nothing. They are gorgeous.”

Murphy said the rain this summer did not have any impact at all. “The crop is fairly small but I should have something to pick every week,” he noted. “I have 41 different varieties.”