TOLEDO, Ohio — This summer brought a lot of sunshine, heat and, unlike this past spring, not a lot of rain. So, concerns about fall crops like apples and pumpkins started to grow.
It's not a major concern for Jeff MacQueen, president of MacQueen's Orchard, and Martha Mora, co-owner of Johnston Fruit Farm, as they say less rain made for a better apple harvest.
"This time of year we're about 10 days, two weeks ahead of schedule," MacQueen said. "We've had quite a bit of rain in our area all summer long, so the apples are sizing up well."
Mora said a dryer year can change the taste of the apples.
"In fact, on a dryer year, apples are going to be sweeter. They'll have more sugars in them, which is great for cider," Mora said.
MacQueen said this dryer summer was preferred.
"The reason I say that is because (apples) like 70-degree days, with full sun and then the nights get down to 45, 50. That really puts the color on the apples," MacQueen said.
MacQueen's is in Holland and Johnston is in Swanton. Both growers said a few miles can make a difference in rain coverage, and they know not all their neighbors got the much-needed rain.
But, for Mora, the more than 85 apple varieties she grows, along with several of her other crops, have all benefitted. This is especially true of her pumpkins, she said.
"They don't want a drought. But, they do like it kind of hot and dry. So, the pumpkins look good so far," Mora said.
Both farmers noticed the big change in harvest timing. While it has not become a major issue, they both said it's something they're keeping an eye on.
"Every month, every crop has been early. We made cider yesterday. I'm sure that's a record. Typically, we start making cider right around Labor Day," Mora said.
All growers are hoping for a normal, even longer fall season. This allows all their apple and pumpkin-picking festivities to happen and the crops to last a little longer since they came earlier this year.