Apples were among the produce being sold at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market on Aug. 23. Chris Howell | Herald-Times
Whether baked in a pie, crushed to make cider or one a day to keep the doctor away, Indiana apples are growing in abundance this season despite contrary early predictions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While the harsh winter months damaged the Indiana peach crop, the apple harvest wasn’t affected, according to Peter Hirst, a professor of horticulture at Purdue University and a specialist in tree fruit.
“I think the quantity looks reasonable and the quality looks very good,” Hirst said. “We have some problems every year, but overall I think it’s looking quite good.”
Indiana apple growers always have to factor the weather into their crop predictions, said Amy Hamilton, the owner of Musgrave Orchard on Old Ind. 37 north of Bloomington. A drought in the summer of 2012, a late frost last spring and a cool July have all played a part in when the apple crop ripened.
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