Apple harvest in Maine expected to bounce back this fall: ‘They had a restful year’
Wallingford’s Fruit House Bounces Back from a Rough Harvest
Auburn, Maine – As the crisp autumn nights settle over the state, apple trees along Perkins Ridge Road at Wallingford’s Fruit House are bursting with fruit, signaling a promising start to this season’s harvest. Orchard manager Peter Ricker, who runs the family’s 400‑acre operation across Turner and Auburn, says the crop looks stronger than the disappointing yield of last year.
“It wasn’t a great year,” Ricker said on Tuesday. “It was an absolute disaster.” Last year’s harvest was only about 20 % of what is normally expected, forcing the orchard to invest as much money in production as it would in a normal season. “We still had to expend almost as much money… as any other year to grow the apples,” he added.
Despite the setbacks, Ricker is optimistic. “They had a restful year. They got a little bit like, ‘I had a break, let’s show them what I can do.’ So, we actually have a fairly large crop this year.” He attributes the rebound to milder weather and a “fairly large crop” that should produce apples with higher sugar content thanks to the summer sunshine.
Local experts echo the optimism. University of Maine Cooperative Extension tree‑fruit specialist Renae Moran told reporters that early‑season varieties such as Paula Red and Zestar apples are expected to reach peak ripeness this weekend. “The orchard looks very good this year,” Moran said. “Overall, the outlook is good, although a few orchards in Aroostook County may see a lighter crop.”
Maine’s apple production has been hit by a series of challenges over the past few years. In 2025, the state’s total apple yield fell 600,000 bushels from an average of 800,000 to 1 million, largely due to drought and inadequate pollination during the spring bloom. Nationally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects the 2026‑27 harvest to be down 7 % from last year, at 263 million bushels, citing severe weather as a major factor.
Ricker’s orchard is part of the Ricker Hill Orchards network, which also includes farm stands in Turner and the Vista of Maine winery in Greene. In addition to apples, the Auburn property hosts a pick‑your‑own pumpkin patch and a “U‑pick” section where visitors can harvest Gala apples. The orchard is open every day of the week at 12:40 p.m. on Perkins Ridge Road.
While the trees are flourishing, they are not without their foes. Ricker is battling the invasive Asiatic bittersweet, a binding vine that can suffocate fruit trees if left unchecked. “Every insect or disease known to apples loves the state of Maine,” he said. “One particular enemy we’ve been battling is the Asiatic bittersweet. I have to pay people to manually cut the vine away from trees and shrubs because yanking it off just damages the fruit tree.” The vine’s growth pattern resembles that of morning glory or woodbine, but it is more aggressive and can block sunlight from reaching the trees.
The orchard’s staff emphasizes that visitors should only pick the fruit they intend to keep, to avoid waste. Pick‑your‑own events are popular with families and are scheduled to coincide with Maine Apple Sunday on September 13, when many orchards across the state offer apple samples, hayrides, and discounts on pick‑your‑own bundles. Those interested in visiting can find a list of participating farms on maineapples.org/events.
As the season progresses, Ricker hopes that the increased yield will help offset the costs of last year’s low harvest. “Mother Nature is the ultimate arbiter when it comes to farming,” he said, “but the trees still need to be maintained, weeded, and treated for pests and disease.” With a full canopy of fruit and a community eager to sample the apples, Wallingford’s Fruit House stands as a testament to Maine’s resilient apple‑growers and their commitment to delivering quality fruit to the region.
