Some P.E.I. apple growers are having a hard year, with yields for some early varieties down by as much as 40 per cent.
'The soil tended to be cold and really didn't warm up until mid-August.'— Barry Balsom, Arlington Orchards
Barry Balsom, who grows 12 hectares of apples, pears and plums with his wife at Arlington Orchards in Prince County, said the rainy, wet weather during bloom time played havoc with pollination.
"I can remember one five-day period we had three inches (7.6 centimetres) of rain; that certainly does present a problem with the apples," said Balsom.
"The soil tended to be cold and really didn't warm up until mid-August. So the trees, you could see it affecting the trees. As you know, a lot of the trees are underground so when you've got cold, wet soil, it's just not performing to the level you'd like to see it."
Balsom said he generally harvests about 16,000 kilograms of apples, but it's down to about 10,000 kilograms this year. Balsom said some of the later varieties are looking good.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- Liquor store discussion heats up legislature
- The Opposition raised questions in the provincial legislature Friday over the decision to close the Wood Islands liquor store. more »
- EI rules will hurt primary trades, says P.E.I. premier
- While reaction continues to brew over Thursday's announcement about changes to the Employment Insurance program, P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz says provincial officials will be meeting with the federal government to discuss how the new rules will affect Islanders. more »
- HST to hit low-income earners hardest
- Although the proposed harmonized sales tax is good for business, it will hit low-income Islanders the hardest when it's rung in next April, said economists. more »
- Charlottetown businessman named to Order of Canada
- Charlottetown's Fred Hyndman was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada Friday. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after completing a six-game series win Friday night over the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
- EI rules will hurt primary trades, says P.E.I. premier
- P.E.I. quality of life second-worst, says study
- HST to hit low-income earners hardest
- 902 numbers running out in N.S., P.E.I.
- Islanders worried over EI changes
- Charlottetown businessman named to Order of Canada
- Atlantic Lottery replacing old VLTs
- Tourism P.E.I. handed out $60,000 in free golf passes
- Red Shores Raceway's fastest horse put down
