BRACKNEY, PA (WBNG) -- Normally, Labor Day Weekend is a 'soft opening' for Russell Farms in Brackney, but this year owner Michael Russell says it was anything but soft.
Russell operates the farm with his family. He says this weekend so far has been much busier than usual.
"My wife and I started it, my kids are now actively involved," he says. "We have about a dozen varieties here. We started out with ginger golds, macs, honey crisps."
Russell says this apple picking season almost didn't happen, and not because of the pandemic. A late season frost in mid-May had him worried the season was doomed.
"These trees were basically encapsulated in about two inches of ice, that lasted for almost forty-eight hours, and I didn't think we were going to have any apples," he says.
He says much to his surprise and much to his relief, it turned out to be quite the opposite. Optimum weather conditions in the spring and summer made all the difference.
"We wound up with a fabulous crop, I'm not sure how it happened but it happened and we're blessed, and I'm thankful for that," he said.
Russell says it's not just the apples that are more plentiful this year, but the customers too. He says orchards like his are rarely this busy this early. That part, he says, may have something to do with the impact of the pandemic.
"I think people just want to get out and are looking for something to do, especially at the close of summer when you almost feel cheated out of going to do what you wanted to do," he says.
One of those people looking for something to do was Alon Shaiber. He came with his wife and children to pick some apples after just recently moving to the area from New York City.
"We were in the city and during the pandemic it's hard to get outside and do things. But here, there's a lot more space and it's perfect because you can do it social distance style," he says.
Russell says he hopes to see that trend continue all the way through the fall.
"We've got a lot of fruit so I think we can keep the U-pickers going," he says.
If you plan to head out to the orchard, Russell says the family just asks that you wear a mask and practice social distancing. He says with all of the land at the orchard, spreading out should be no problem.
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Despite heavy May frost, Russell Farms says there are plenty of apples for the picking - WBNG-TV
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