June frost destroys up to 50% of Nova Scotia apple crop

Apple growers in Nova Scotia say they've lost up to 50% of their crop this year.

The Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association says that below-freezing temperatures in June played a big part in the losses, and the hardest-hit crops were in areas at low elevations.

Phil Daniels, owner of Daniels U-Pick, says 99% of his crops died due to the freezing June temperatures, resulting in about a 75% drop in sales.

He says people aren't coming to the farm in Windsor because they know he got hit by frost.

But Daniels says he's trying to put a spin on the problem, telling visiting children they're in for a game of hide-and-seek to find the remaining apples.

He has also brought in produce to sell to customers, so they don't leave empty-handed.

Daniels, who has been in business for 42 years, says he expects his trees will grow better next year because of what he calls a sabbatical of sorts.