Fall is the best time of year to pick apples, as the trees are filled with ripe, juicy fruit. Getting an abundance of apples is as easy as pie when you know how to pick them correctly. Here’s how you can pick delicious apples off a tree.
Identify the ripest apples and focus on the lowest lying fruits on the tree first. Apples on the top of the tree aren’t ripe yet and can be picked after a few days. The ripest ones will typically have a vibrant hue and give slightly when squeezed lightly.
Take a step-ladder, have someone to help, or carry a small tree-climbing ladder if you’re feeling brave. The ladder surprisingly helps you reach the highest nooks in the tree. Place the ladder at a careful distance, so as not to shake the branch and make the fruit fall off.
It is important that you handle the apples with gentle force, or else they will break apart when you try to pluck them. Gently twist the stem of the apple and slide it off. If it doesn’t give, tug at it with a jerking motion – not too hard so you don’t break the apple but with enough force so that it comes out.
A good way to determine the perfect apple for eating off the tree versus ones for cooking or baking is to observe where the apple has been picking. If the apple has fallen off the tree, then it is already past its peak time for eating, but can still be used in cooking.
Apples picked rows close to the trunk are usually stringy, while those picked closer to the tip of the branch are sweeter and juicier. If you constantly see the same type of apple at the same spot, try to vary them and pick those at the other spots too.
Once you’ve picked your apples, it’s a good idea to work closely with the farmer and make sure you’re not taking an excessive amount. Treat the crop with respect and share the abundance of apples with family and friends too!
Planning Ahead
If you’re new to picking apples, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to prepare for your apple-picking experience. First, determine what kind of apples you’d like to pick and make sure a tree bearing that fruit is nearby. Then consider the time of day you’d like to pick and the season as some apples are available only during a certain time of year. Lastly, have a container or bag to carry your apples and a tool such as secateurs on hand.
Storing Apples
Picking apples is fun, but what comes next is just as important – storing them correctly. Apples must be stored correctly to maintain their freshness and flavour. Freshly picked apples should be stored in a cool, dark location, such as in a basement, cellar or garage. Apples can also be kept in the refrigerator for a few weeks, in an airtight container – just ensure that air doesn’t circulate around them. If you plan to store your apples for more than a couple of weeks, you can also wrap them in waxed paper and place them in a ventilated box for preservation.
Tips For Picking Apples
Apple-picking can be a wonderful experience if you know how to harness the fruit correctly. First, don’t pick the apples too hard, or they could break apart. To remove an apple from its stem, gently twist the stem and slide it off. If the stem doesn’t give, use a jerking motion with enough force so that it comes out – but be careful not to break the apple. Apples picked close to the trunk tend to be stringy, whereas those close to the tip of the branch are juicier and sweeter. Lastly, observe the apples and make sure you’re aware of their peak season so as to ensure you’re picking the perfect fruit.
Pruning Apples
As important as it is to be familiar with the act of harvesting apples, it is just as important to understand about pruning an apple tree. Pruning an apple tree requires patience and careful attention. Start by removing the deadwood and broken branches, as this helps improve the air circulation and lets light in. Then, cut all other shoots, leaving only two or three buds on each. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, when the buds on the apple tree are just beginning to swell.
Preventing Pests & Diseases
Pest and disease control are important facets of apple-picking and should not be overlooked. Apples can be prone to pests when picked off of a tree, as mealybugs, aphids, and scale insects are all known to attack apple varieties. These pests don’t typically pose a threat to humans, but they can significantly reduce the size and quality of the apples. The best way to prevent pests is to harvest apples from healthy trees that have been treated with a pest control product. This will also help protect against common diseases, such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, and apple scab.
