NEW PARIS, Pa. (WJAC) — The start of fall has been particularly warm and sunny the past couple of weeks, giving people great weather to go out and enjoy fall activities.

Six News visited Boyer Orchard in Bedford County, where apple-growing season is almost complete. One of the owners says the sunny weather has given their apples an even sweeter taste.

Apple trees cover 300 acres of land at Boyer Orchard in New Paris. Co-owner Matt Boyer says the apple-growing season is coming to an end.

"You know they are a fall fruit. We start picking apples in the end of August and we are three fourths done now with this year’s crop; we have a quarter to do with our late varieties,” Boyer said.

Boyer says each growing season at the orchard is different, thanks to Mother Nature.

“What a difference a year makes. Last year, we were drowned in water and ... we didn't have enough sunshine, but this year, our fruit tastes really good and sweet because we had ample sunshine to put our sugars in the fruit,” Boyer said.

But this season is a little ahead due to the recent warm weather.

"Our crop this year is at least a week ahead of last year, which is good for us because that means we can hopefully get done before the cold weather comes,” Boyer said.

Luckily, the orchard's location gives the family=run business good growing factors to depend on, even if each year is a gamble.

"You know Bedford County, we do have a microclimate of agriculture. This Chestnut Ridge area we have, it's ideal for growing fruit. We have the perfect elevation, the perfect soil and knowing that we have some positive history behind us, you know, it's a gamble every day. We've said we don’t have to go to Las Vegas; we are doing it right here at home,” Boyer said.

Boyer tells Six News the orchard will wrap up apple picking in the next couple of weeks, then move on to their winter squash.

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