Apple-picking season is getting going a little earlier than usual.

The New England Apple Growing Association says the season’s first McIntosh apples may be available in some orchards over the Labor Day weekend – about a week to 10 days earlier than usual.

Unusually warm spring weather resulted in an unprecedented early apple blossom, but some later frost damage reduced the total volume of the crop by about 17 percent in the region from last year.

Still, the association is predicting a flavorful apple crop with good color and size.

An official celebration of the apple harvest is set for Friday in Massachusetts.