Charlie Agnew picks McIntosh apples Tuesday at Willow Pond Farm in Sabattus. He says harvesting is running a week to two weeks early because of a “very good growing season.” “The weather this summer has been incredible,” says his wife, Jill. “We have had lots of moisture and that is always a good thing.” The farm owners say the abundance of apples is great news after last year’s crop was down significantly due to a late spring frost first and then hail that damaged apples. Willow Pond opens for pick-your-own apples Friday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Boxes of apples are seen Tuesday at Willow Pond Farm in Sabattus. Owner Charlie Agnew says he would prefer to leave McIntosh apples on trees a few days longer until they turn a bit more red, but the growing season has been so good he needs to thin them out before heavy winds do it. Grocery stores he supplies start asking for apples as soon as the weather starts to cool down — whether the apples are ready or not — he says. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal