It was on a crisp day in early autumn last week, with a chill wind whispering promises of red leaves and fall harvests, that Virginia Brackett, 88, stood on a hill in Limington overlooking the mountains in the distance, which were separated from her by a fine mist over a valley of lush green. To her left stood rows of trees sprouting a bounty of red and green apples, ripe for picking.

Those trees comprise part of Brackett Orchards, overseen by the Brackett family for seven generations, and perhaps it was because of that history that the inventory came so readily to her: McIntosh, red and gold delicious, Northern spy and Baldwins are but some of the bounty awaiting pickers at the orchard this season, and Virginia smiled as she spoke about the honey crisp variety, which has emerged as a perennial favorite in her own slice of paradise.

“It has a distinct flavor,” she said. “People like their sweetness.

“But,” she added, “the McIntosh makes a very flavorful pie. Lots of juices.”

Though there seemed no end to the rows of fruit resplendent on their hill overlooking nearby Limerick, Virginia’s husband, Manley Brackett ”“ the torch-bearer for the generations that came before ”“ said that a late-spring frost cut the orchard’s crop by about 50 percent this year. Unfortunately, he said, that’s been a common occurrence on farms across the Northeast.

“It’s pretty universal throughout New England that crops are down,” said Brackett, 90. “But we’ve still got a lot of good fruit left. I count my blessings to still have 50 percent. Some farmers got frozen out completely.”

The ideal weather for apples, he said, consists of moderate temperatures during bloom, which usually occurs in mid-May. Such weather encourages bees to pollinate.

This year, he said, whether due to climate change considerations or other factors, the bloom came early, and then a frost set in during a critical week. That damaged many potentially fruitful trees, and while there seemed to be no shortage of the favorite fall fruit on the trees and in the store, the bounty has been mitigated by a persnickety Mother Nature.

John Snell, owner of Snell Family Farm in Buxton, has also seen a decline in his crop, and for similar reasons. Snell estimates that his farm has only about 40 percent of its usual selection, although that hasn’t stopped pickers from spending whole afternoons amidst the sun-dappled rows.

“The pick-your-own people seem to have taken that in stride,” said Snell.

All things considered, the situation could have been more dire. Two years ago, Snell lost the entire crop due to a rash of bad weather. Despite the downturn in luck, this year, Snell’s farm still boasts a number of varieties, including empires, McGowans and Macs.

Like Brackett, Snell said the honey crisp has become popular among pickers.

“People like the texture,” he said. “It’s a firm, very juice apple.”

On Snell’s farm, the trees at higher elevations escaped much of the damage, since cold air tends to settle, while heat rises. That saved a portion of the crop, and to make up the difference, Snell has been able to count on some of his neighbors, buying additional varieties from a number of nearby orchards, such as the one at Giles Family Farm in Alfred.

When it comes to apples, everybody’s in it together.

For Brackett, that’s a mentality that has served his farm well. Some of his seasonal workers have been helping to pick fruit and stock the store shelves for about 25 years, with a handful taking up residence at a nearby cottage during the picking season. Because of the help, Brackett is not only able to keep a healthy selection on hand, but also delves into some popular apple by-products: Apple jellies, jams and honey are among the most-requested, and Brackett often sells these products to local supermarkets to help support his operation.

But, as it’s been since 1783, there’s always a crowd willing to travel to Limington to pick their own. It’s what keeps him going during apple season, which this year, he says should last until shortly before Columbus Day.

“This is what I’ve done all my life, after my service in the military,” said Brackett. “You work a lot of hours, and it’s a lot of hard work, but it’s a good life. We’ve really enjoyed it.”

— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 319 or jlagasse@journaltribune.com.