CUMBERLAND, Maine — With the recent dry weather Maine has seen, apple farmers are working extra hard to keep their orchards irrigated.

The owner of Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchard in Cumberland , Greg Sweetser, said in agriculture, farmers like to get about an inch of rain a week.

NEWS CENTER Maine's Keith Carson said that southern Maine saw three inches below average rainfall in the past month.

Sweetser said the peak apple picking season starts around September 15th, and it continues through the first week of October. In order for apple farmers to harvest the big plump apples most people like to eat and buy, apple trees need a lot of water.

Without adequate water, farmers may see smaller-sized apples. Sweetser said a lack of water also impacts the health of apple trees and the

See Full Page