MINNEAPOLIS – After several tough winters, Minnesota and Wisconsin apple growers are predicting a healthy, bountiful apple crop in 2015 thanks to an exceptionally strong, early bloom across regional orchards. Apple tree blossoms are one of the first seasonal indicators of tree health for the coming summer and fall growing and harvest seasons.
“Typically, apple blossoms are on the trees around Mother’s Day,” says Fred Wescott, president, Wescott Orchards, Elgin, MN and part of the 26-grower Mississippi Valley Fruit Co. (MVFC),. “Right on time this year, the bloom is one of the earliest signs of how the trees fared during winter and what this seasons’ apple crops will look like. Mother Nature, of course, always plays a role, but all signs right now point to a strong growing season over the summer and early fall.”
Early regional varieties now in full bloom include locally grown Zestar and RiverBelle with Cortland, MacIntosh, Gala, Honeycrisp and Pazazz to follow within the next week. Reports from a cross section of orchards in southeastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin confirm that apple trees across the region suffered little winter damage this past winter. This is due in part to Midwest varieties’ hardiness and ability to withstand cold temperatures, a long season and heavy snow coverage.
“Compared to 2012 and 2013, this past winter was more moderate,” adds Wescott. “Temperature swings were less severe, posing much less of a winter survival challenge for crops that depend on consistent temperature ranges. Beyond mid May, the risk of a hard freeze – one of the most damaging effects on fruit tress – is greatly reduced. We are excited about bringing the traditional favorites to the market as well as our new varieties – River Belle and Pazazz. It should be a great apple season for our growers and consumers alike. “
Based on a continuation of predicted good weather and growing conditions over the spring and summer months, the anticipated harvest schedule for Midwest regional apples is:
|
Variety |
Harvest |
|
Variety |
Harvest |
|
Zestar |
25-Aug |
|
Empire |
20-Sep |
|
River Belle |
05-Sep |
|
Red Delicious |
20-Sep |
|
MacIntosh |
10-Sep |
|
Haralson |
20-Sep |
|
Cortland |
10-Sep |
|
Fireside |
10-Oct |
|
Honeycrisp |
15-Sep |
|
Fuji |
10-Oct |
|
Jonathan |
19-Sep |
|
Pazazz |
10-Oct |
|
Orchards |
20-Sep |
|
Braeburn |
20-Oct |
For more information about Mississippi Valley Fruit Co. and Honeybear Brands visit www.honeybearbrands.com
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About Wescott Orchards
Wescott Orchards, Mississippi Valley Fruit Co., and Honeybear Brands are wholly owned subsidiaries of Wescott Agri Products, a leading grower and developer of premium apple varieties. The company started as a family-run apple orchard in the early 1970s in Elgin, Minnesota. From that early start several generations ago, today Wescott and its subsidiaries still employ the same hands-on, personal attention to each and every apple variety produced.
Source: Wescott Orchards