Updated 08/03/2010 07:41 PM
Season starts early for fruit farmers
When you think apple picking, you probably don't think August. Well, as our Curtis Schick shows us, this year, Mother Nature might have something to say about that.
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HIGHLAND, N.Y. -- If you want apples, peaches and pears, you'll find them at DuBois Farm in Highland. But a few days into August, you usually don't find them this ripe.
"They are going to be sweet and petite," said David DuBois.
But before we tell you about the harvest, farmer David DuBois said he's happy to have any fruit to pick at all.
"I just assumed we would get froze out," said DuBois.
DuBois said a warm spring got growing started in early May. He said usually the last frost is around Mother's Day. It didn't happen. So the growing kept going, but the strange season wasn't done.
"The hot summer this year has speeded up the growth of the trees and the growth of the fruit. It means all the work that the growers have to do gets compressed they have to accomplish the same amount in less time," said Mike Fargione, Ulster County Cornell Cooperative Extention Educator.
Fargione said this is the earliest start to a season Cornell Cooperative Extension has on record. He said even with hot and dry weather, meaning smaller fruit, you'll be pleased with the product.
"We are going to have extraordinary flavors," said Fargione.
Now the sign says closed until August 21st, but that also means DuBois will be open in late August and he says that is the biggest challenge getting people to come out and do what they normally do in the fall.
"Hopefully they are going to want them two weeks early," said DuBois.
But when you're on Mother Nature's schedule, you don't have much a choice.