Essex County apples are ripening fast, pick them while it's hot
Summer-like temperatures means apple season could end sooner than normal
With record-breaking temperatures roasting the Windsor-Essex region, some fruit farmers are warning customers to come and pick while they still can.
Andrew Thiessen, owner of Thiessen Orchard in Leamington, said that many varieties of apples have ripened earlier than expected this year.
"Some of the varieties we've actually had to pick before we could let our 'you-pickers' in so they wouldn't fall to the ground," he said. "Once they're on the ground they'd be considered a juice or a second-grade apple... at least we can get them into bins and still have them available for our customers."
Thiessen added some of the most popular varieties like Honeycrisp and Royal Gala apples had to be fully harvested so they wouldn't lose any fruit, but later varieties are coming along nicely and there's still time to visit an orchard.
"It is a good time to come out if you're still looking for what we have left," said the farmer.
Hot weather means more water for workers
Harvesting in high temperatures have made things a bit more difficult this year he added, but it just means more water breaks for workers.
"We're very susceptible to the weather for sure," said Thiessen. "Apple season might finish up a bit earlier than normal but ultimately we'll still have lots of fruit."