Thatchers начал самый ранний сбор яблок за 122 года из-за летней жары

Thatchers verdict on 2026 harvest after 'devastating summer for many cider farmers' The legendary Somerset cider makers are trialling changes to sustain their operation for decades to come Thatchers has commenced the earliest apple harvest in its 122-year history after a "challenging" summer. Martin Thatcher, managing director of the famous Somerset cider farm in Sandford, acknowledged that the 2026 heatwaves have been "devastating" for many more traditional orchards but said his family had "planted for the future" to create a more resilient crop. He spoke confidently of the quality and sweetness of this year's apples despite their size, which is smaller than usual as a result of the weather and will produce a slightly reduced yield due to the timing of the harvest. Martin said: “Harvest has always been one of the most special times of year at Myrtle Farm, when the fruit we've spent the year caring for is finally picked and pressed. “The recent hot weather has certainly played a part in this year's harvest timing, but it is only part of a much bigger picture. We've spent generations learning how our orchards respond to different seasons and conditions, future-proofing orchard success for the farming generations ahead. “This year's heat has been challenging and the apples are slightly smaller, but they are packed with flavour and sweetness. Ultimately, it's the fruit, rather than a date on the calendar that tells us when harvest must begin.” Last year was the earliest harvest on record but this summer has come even earlier. It expects the harvesting to be completed by mid-November, around six weeks earlier than 30 years ago. Records from its orchards, alongside recollections passed through generations of the Thatcher family, show a striking change to the harvest season. In the 1990s, the team recalls harvesting and pressing apples into late autumn and towards Christmas, while earlier family recollections suggest the season stretched even later. They say they are taking a long-term approach to research which varieties could be best suited to orchards in the decades ahead, highlighting how a new orchard can take up to 10 years from initial planning to bearing fruit. They follow a regenerative farming process to transform nutrient levels in the soil over a minimum of three years, to give the apple trees the best start. Currently there are 458 varieties in Myrtle Farm's exhibition orchard, which it says is the UK's largest collection of cider apple varieties. In addition to these, 40 acres of the farm is reserved for a trial of around 100 other varieties, which are being assessed to help future-proof its cider-making operation to identify varieties that might be more resilient to climate and disease resistance or produce better growth and yields, all while retaining delicious flavours. 'Devastating for many' Martin oversees the operation alongside his dad John Thatcher, a third-generation cider maker, and his daughter Eleanor Thatcher who represents the fifth generation. He said: “When my great-grandfather planted apple trees here, he couldn't know exactly what conditions future generations would be growing them in – with recent heat devastating for many cider farmers of more traditional orchards and older varieties of apples trees. "He planted for the future, just as every generation of our family has done since. Among the varieties we're trialling now could be apples that future generations of cider makers come to rely on. Our responsibility is to take what we've learned from 122 years of growing apples and use that knowledge and ongoing research to give the next generation of orchards the best possible start.” To further support its annual apple crop, Thatchers works closely with 27 apple growers across the South West and Herefordshire. Providing 20-year long contracts, it says the partnerships are designed to give fellow British farming families long-term certainty and support when planting their own orchards. Richard Johnson, head cider maker at Thatchers, said the apples are regularly being observed and tested to consider when is best to start picking. He said: “Katy, traditionally our first apple of the harvest, has a particularly short picking window. This year's fruit is smaller following the extended heat, but the sunshine has increased its sweetness and the flavour is exactly what we're looking for. “The changing harvest timeframe has reduced yield slightly, but it hasn't meant compromising on quality. It's about responding to the fruit in front of us and picking it at its best.”