Jon Clements Speaks to 'Boston Globe' About Challenges of Growing Honeycrisp Apples

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As apple-picking season winds down, let us reflect on the ever-popular Honeycrisp. The production of Honeycrisp apples has steadily risen since its debut in the 1990s, and the fruit is poised to surpass Gala and Red Delicious as a customer favorite, with visitors at pick-your-own orchards often requesting it by name. However, for farmers navigating the complexities of climate change, disease, and market demand, Honeycrisps present a double-edged sword: while popular, they're notoriously challenging to grow, requiring meticulous care to thrive. 

In an article entitled "The Tyranny of the Honeycrisp," The Boston Globe recently spoke with Jon Clements, extension fruit team leader at the UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, on the challenges of growing Honeycrisps:

“It's arguably the apple we love to hate," said Jon Clements, a University of Massachusetts Extension tree fruit specialist who advises growers. “We love it, because it's what the customer wants," he said. “We hate it because it's got some peculiarities in terms of management that make it difficult or perhaps more expensive to grow."

— The Boston Globe

Click here to read the Boston Globe article. Or, if you have access to UMass Amherst Libraries, you can read Boston Globe articles through ProQuest.