As October approaches, the temperature begins to cool, the leaves change colour, and many of us look forward to a classic autumn treat: apple picking. This exciting activity is almost guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. We have gathered some helpful picking tips for your wholesome, fun, family-friendly getaway, plus a few suggestions on how to store your just-picked, perfectly ripe apples correctly for maximum freshness.
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When are apples ready to be picked? The answer is: it depends. Two factors influence fruit ripening – apple cultivar and the weather during the growing season.
Some varieties of apples are ready to harvest as early as July, while others reach their peak flavour during the crisp days of autumn, ripening in October or November. The peak season for fruit grown in private gardens is just as summer has hit its height and autumn is just around the corner. Summer apples are ready to be picked starting in early August, while autumn apples are ready later in the year, around the beginning of September.
The weather conditions throughout the entire harvest year are the second important variable, with sunny days being crucial as these significantly impact how sweet the apple is.
Apples picked too early are tart and small. Apples picked too late tend to be soft, might have a slightly floury taste, and are prone to quick deterioration.
What is the best month to pick apples?
Apples ripen at different times, depending on the variety. There are early, mid, and late varieties. September is typically the best time to pick apples, and generally, they should be harvested between late summer and late October.
While different varieties of apples ripen at different times, and the climate varies the harvest time each year, early fall is usually a reliable time for harvesting apples. While peak harvest generally takes place in September for most of the apples sold in stores, some cultivars are ready as early as late August, and others aren’t mature until October or even November.
How to tell if apples are ready to be picked
These simple guidelines can help you determine whether your apples are ready to be harvested:
- The ripeness of an apple can be determined by its skin colour. If the apple's original green colour is turning yellow – unless it's a green apple variety – that means it's ready to be picked. Apples with red skin should be nice and bright when they're harvested.
- The colour of the peel inside the stem indentation changes from green to yellow.
- The apple's seeds should be brown if the fruit is ripe and will be green if unripe.
- The flesh is cream or white instead of pale green.
- Nevertheless, don't let eye-catching fruit affect your apple picking decisions. Taste is just as important as colour. It's not uncommon for apples to appear mature before they ripen internally, and despite their vibrant red skin – a sign of ripeness – their flesh is still ripening. Taking a bite is the best way to determine ripeness: ripe apples taste crisp and sweet, not starchy and sour. Apples that are ready to pick are firm, crisp, and juicy.
- It's also possible to determine the ripeness of an apple by how easily it can be detached from its tree. To verify this, rotate the apple upwards in your hand. If it comes off with its stalk, it's a good indication that the apple is ready to be picked.
How to store apples
Make sure you store your apples correctly to prolong their shelf life. Here are some tips you might find helpful.
- After apple picking, your fruit can be stored for weeks. The first step is to remove any bruised or damaged apples – they will cause other nearby apples to deteriorate more quickly. Keep only apples that still have their stalks and don't appear rotten or eaten by insects.
- For apples you plan to eat right away, keep them in a bowl on the counter for a few days. Otherwise, store them in the refrigerator. Place the fruit in perforated plastic bags to increase humidity and allow airflow.
- When not stored in a refrigerator, apples should be kept in a dark place with a temperature of around 40°F (4°C). Make sure that they get enough air to prevent mould growth. An excellent way to do this is to store them in wooden crates in one layer.
- Keeping the apples moist prevents them from drying out – ensure this by regularly placing a bowl of water on the fruit crates. Garages and cellars are excellent storage spaces.
- If you intend to store your apples outside – in a shed, for instance – you must avoid frost.
- Most summer apples, such as the Elstar, shouldn't be stored for longer than three weeks. Autumn apples, such as Boskoop, can be kept for up to eight weeks without losing flavour. Winter apples, such as Jonagold and Gloster, can be stored for up to three months without losing their unique aroma.
