Indiana's apple crop damaged

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Pumpkins, gourds, and colorful leaves are fall staples, but fall must haves like apple pie and cider might have to wait until next year. That is because the crop is the worst it's been in 80 years.

"Often we'll lose a few fruit, but this year the timing of it and the severity of what we got caused extensive crop damage," Purdue Professor of Horticulture, Peter Hirst, said.

Hirst said the mild winter allowed for an early bloom, but it wasn't the hot dry weather that ended up ruining the apples. It was the April freeze.

"We knew when the temperatures got that low there would be extensive damage," Hirst said. "A couple of days after we came out, we cut the fruit in half, and we could see the damage."

Perry Kirkham is the president of the Wea Creek Orchard in Lafayette. He said they were only able to produce two percent of their usual crop.

"We had no peaches or necterines what so ever," Kirkham said. "We probably got five bushells of apples. The fruit that did survive is very small, and nothing you would want to eat."

Hisrt said he talked to orchard owners about how they can make up for the apple loss. Many farmers were given apples from orchards that were not effected.

Kirkham received apples from his friends along the Mississippi River. He said the beauty about orchards is that apples are not the only attractions.

"We try to encourage grandparents, parents, and young parents to bring kids out and just walk around and see things," Kirkham said. "We take wagon rides, you can see otters and the beaver. We have deer and pheasent. It just gives kids the chance to get out."

Kirkham said he lost some trees, but he and Hirst agree many trees were able to stay healthy. It makes them look forward to next year.