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How 'bout them apples? Crop looks bountiful after late start to spring

The apple crop looks promising this year! Wells Orchards thanks the late spring as early apple varieties begin the season.

TALLMADGE CHARTER TWP, Mich. - The apple crop is starting to look very appealing! 2018 will be nearly a bumper crop year for local apple orchards, like Wells Orchards on Kenowa Avenue.

"The late spring kind of helped us," said Michelle Trosper, a fourth generation farmer at Wells Orchards. "We didn't have to worry about freezing or frost like we have in the years past."

Some apples are ready for the picking, and the crop looks bountiful! The most popular variety, Honey Crisp apples, will be available mid-September. (Photo: 13 ON YOUR SIDE)

The later spring also gave the apple trees time to bloom and bees had time to pollinate. The one thing lacking is a steady amount of rain, but the trickle irrigation system at Wells Orchards has kept the apples well-watered during the past dry months.

"As we go into September, we like to see warm sunny days and cool nights because that adds color to the fruit that needs to be red," added Trosper.

There are a couple early varieties of apples already available to take home. Pristine and Paula Red apples are for sale, and Zestar and Ginger Gold are coming by the week of Aug. 20.

If you're a fan of Honey Crisp apples, you've got a few weeks to go before they're ready.

Apple cider is also coming soon. Producers use a variety of sweet and tart apples for cider batches. Cider will be coming around the start of September.

Other produce like peaches, nectarines, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables are available at Wells Orchards. (Photo: 13 ON YOUR SIDE)

Wells Orchards are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more on what produce is available, head to their website.

To learn more about all the varieties of Michigan apples, check out the Michigan apple site.

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