New Brunswick apple farmers are cautiously optimistic about this season following a few tense weeks of worrying that an early frost could wipe out their crop.

A mild spring meant apple trees were about three weeks ahead of schedule, putting them at risk for frost damage.

David Coburn, who owns an orchard in Keswick Ridge, near Fredericton, said the warm weather earlier this spring tricked the trees into stirring three weeks earlier than usual.

Frost in early May would have destroyed this year's crop, but Coburn said things are looking better now.

"We were … three weeks ahead of schedule. We're now down to between a week and 10 days. The apple trees, last Wednesday, we hit our peak bloom, so we've had an excellent pollination period."

Farmers such as Coburn aren't in the clear yet though, and won't consider themselves safe until the first of June.

But Coburn said people who work in the agriculture industry must have a fatalistic attitude about the weather.

"In a way, there's not a lot I can do as a farmer," Coburn said.

"It is in God's hands and we have to leave it at that, and it's looking pretty good."

While farmers are hoping for a frost-free growing season, he said they do want a little frost in the fall to help bring out the colour and flavour of the apples.