Key Takeaways

  • Harvest apples when they are dry to prevent fungal diseases and reduce spoilage.
  • Check the ripeness of apples by observing their color and testing if they detach easily from the tree.
  • Stagger your harvest by picking apples multiple times from the same tree to ensure peak ripeness and texture.

How does it feel to be the captain of your own apple fleet in your backyard? Sounds so fresh and organic. Growing apples at home provides numerous benefits, offering a source of fresh, organic fruit and the satisfaction of tending to your produce.

Moreover, they impart an aesthetic feel to your garden once they bloom and produce fruits. So, if your apple trees have started fruiting, it's time to think about harvesting. Discover the correct harvesting methods for optimal results!

Know the Variety

variety of apples in buckets
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When harvesting apples, paying attention to the apple variety you are growing is crucial, affecting the optimal harvest time.

For example, incredible tart, green 'Granny Smith' apples typically ripen mid to late October. On the other hand, popular 'Red Delicious' apples are ready earlier, usually in mid to late September. Known for their sweet, crisp bite and dark red fruits, they make an excellent choice for fresh eating.

'Golden Delicious' apples have a similar harvest time to 'Red Delicious,' with a mild, sweet flavor. 'Gala,' another popular cultivar for its delicious sweet taste, is ready for harvest from mid-August to early September.

Pick Fruits When Dry

When it comes to harvesting apples, the timing is crucial. Ideally, harvest apples on a dry day when the fruits have no moisture on them; opt for the morning after the dew has dried.

If you pluck apples when they are wet from rain or morning dew, the moist conditions can promote fungal diseases. Wet fruits can also spoil more quickly, reducing their storage time.

Check For Ripeness

woman holding a riped apple
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When checking the ripeness of apples before harvest, a few key indicators can be useful.

First, observe the apple's color. As apples ripen, most varieties transition from green to their mature color. Although, there are green varieties of apples so know your tree before you pluck the fruits.

Secondly, ripe apples will detach easily from the tree when lifted and twisted. Hold the fruit in your palm, lift it slightly, and gently twist it. If it comes off the stem easily, when lifted and twisted with the stalk attached, it is most likely a primitive way to check ripeness by tasting. As apples mature, the starch in them converts to sugars. So, a ripe apple should be sweet and juicy and not starchy.

Stagger Your Harvest

Apples on a tree in the sunshine
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You cannot harvest all the apples in one day since all the apples on a single tree do not ripen at the same time. You must pick apples multiple times to ensure peak ripeness to get that sweet, firm, and crunchy texture.

When apples are underripe, the starch can leave a sticky, unpleasant film on your teeth. They can also rot or bruise easily and shrivel faster in storage. Contrarily, overripe apples lack the crunch of ripe fruits as they are softer, but you can use them for cooking.

So, stagger your harvest, picking multiple times from the same tree. Look for visible cues such as the color and pick all the fruits that come off easily. You may have to harvest up to three times over one or two weeks from the same tree.

Pluck Carefully

hand plucking apples from the tree
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To harvest apples, you can follow one of the two methods.

The first one includes lifting and twisting the fruits in a single motion (as mentioned above). Alternatively, rotate the apple so it is upside down and twist it slightly to remove it from the tree. During harvest, collect the apples in a soft bag to prevent bruising.

Avoid yanking or pulling the fruits, as it can break the entire spur. Spurs are short, fruit-bearing shoots that appear on branches at least two years old. Breaking the spur can reduce next year's yield.

Store Correctly

storing green apples
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Apples can be early, mid, or late season, depending on their readiness for harvest. Consume early varieties soon after picking as they don't store well. You can store mid and late-season apples for a few weeks to months. Mid-season apples can last for four to eight weeks, while late-season ones can last up to five months. Apples are best stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place with temperatures between 37 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wrap each apple in a newspaper or tissue paper before storing it to prevent the spread of mold. Additionally, store different varieties separately as they each have a different storage time. For example,

  • 'Fuji' can last up to nine months
  • 'Redfree' stores for up to two months
  • 'Honeygold' can last in storage for two to three months

Finally, regularly check your stored apples for any signs of spoilage, such as rotting, browning, or softening. Remove any that show signs of rot to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the batch.

An Apple a Day!

The fast-growing apple trees produce juicy, crispy fruits that taste incredibly refreshing. Before harvesting, make sure they are ripe by checking the color. Pick one to ensure it is easy to pluck, and have a bite to ensure it is sweet and juicy. Once your apples are ready for picking, harvest them on a dry day and store them in a cool, dark place.

Do you have any tips to add? Share below in the comments!