Some New England apple growers say it's the earliest bloom they've ever seen - and that's what has them worried. The unusually warm weather in early April had fruit trees blossoming two to three weeks ahead of schedule on average. That's left plenty of time on the calendar for the region's notoriously unpredictable weather to strike back with a killer freeze.
But some local growers are remaining optimistic. "So when we bring the bees in, the hives will go right here."
For the past 30 years bees have been brought to Mainely Apple's orchard in mid-May to begin pollination. "I'm keeping an eye on everything, but it's probably gonna be a week to 10 days earlier."