Newspaper Article 1980 – Pressure is on for fruit-picking

Farm and orchard with Jack Leighton

Pressure is on for fruit-picking

Hastings orchardists face a short fruit-picking season which could cause problems.

“The season has come in a week early because of the weather we have been having,” said Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries field officer Mr Rolly Wall.

He warned apple growers, particularly, not to get behind with their harvesting.

Picking periods for apple varieties were being compressed this year from the usual four or more weeks to four or less weeks, he said after a discussion with about 30 growers in Mr Colin Wake’s packing shed, Riverslea Rd.

More serious was the likelihood of several varieties such as Red and Golden Delicious and Gala being ready for picking at the same time.

Mr Wall said Golden Queen peaches were going to be ready in less than a week. Usually it would be about two weeks before they were mature.

He was unsure whether lower temperatures during the past week would slow ripening and extend time between picking dates.

Regional field officer Mr Peter Johnson said he had noticed a few growers picking too hard in blocks of Gala apples. If the fruit had been left for a week it would have been of better colour.

He advised growers to pick selectively and if necessary, more often.

[Ministry of Agriculture and Fi] sheries field officer Mr Rolly Wall, right, warns growers that the picking season will be short. “Use all the time you have got and don’t leave until tomorrow what can be picked today,” he said.