Maine’s Apple Growers Expecting A Good Season

LIVERMORE, Maine (AP) – Maine’s apple growers say they’re expecting a good crop this season despite several hailstorms that caused damage at some orchards.

Rob Boothby, a sixth-generation farmer and owner of Boothby’s Orchard & Farm in Livermore, tells the Sun Journal  he was spared hail damage and is expecting a “better year than most.”

Boothby’s farm opened for the season on Aug. 16 and hopes to extend it all the way to Christmas. Paula Reds are ripening now and people are already arriving to pick them.

Cooper Farms of West Paris manager Sue Silver says despite some hail damage, growing conditions were good this year, with healthy rainfall making for large apples.

Tom Gyger of Five Fields Farm in Bridgton and Kathryn King of Greenwood Orchards in Turner are also optimistic.