Once the apples start to grow on the tree, they will stay attached until they are ready for harvest. Apple trees tend to drop their fruit when their apple-maturity has been reached, usually during late August or early September. When apples fall off a tree, it signifies that the apples have reached their peak of ripeness and are ready for harvesting. Thus, apple picking season commences.
It is essential that apple pickers identify the ideal time to get the best produce from their trees. This is done by the careful observation of the apples’ development on a tree throughout the seasons. After a period of time, typically a few weeks or so, the apples become increasingly heavy with increased size and color. Developing apples may gain their characteristic red hue in late August or early September, signalling that their apple-maturity has been attained.
In order to ensure successful harvests and higher yield of fruit, it is important to monitor the level of ripeness of apples on the tree. By carefully observing the apples’ development and size throughout the earlier months of the summer, apple pickers will know with reasonable accuracy the approximate time in which the apples will drop off the tree.
When ready, apples will drop off the tree automatically without any help. Although apples will naturally fall off the tree due to the natural course of its ripening process, the process can be facilitated by lightly shaking or tapping on the branches. This will dislodge more apples which are ready for harvesting, although it is important not to shake the tree too hard to preserve the growth and health of the apples.
When apples fall off the tree, it is important to immediately pick them up to avoid potential damage to the apples. Picking up fallen apples promptly also prevents other animals from consuming the fruit, or spoiling it. Immediate collection of apples results in the preservation of their size and shape.
Apple pickers must also factor in the environmental conditions when trying to collect apples from the tree. The timing of picking must take into consideration wind, rain, or other weather conditions which may negatively impact the quality of the fruit. For example, if it is raining, it is often better to wait until the rain stops to collect the apples.
Harvesting the Apples
Once apples are ready to be harvested, it is important to pick them up appropriately. Apple pickers should select apples from the tree using gestures which are gentle, yet effective, in order to avoid damaging the apples. Take care to avoid damaging the branches or leaves of the apple tree when picking them.
It is also important to take into account the best method for picking apples from the tree, depending on the size and texture of the fruit. For example, larger and softer apples can be picked by hand and harvested gently, whereas smaller and firmer apples may require the use of a tool such as a picking bag or a harvesting pole.
In addition, apple pickers should take note of potential defects on the apples. Faulty apples or those affected by bruising, sunburn or pest are not suitable for harvest and should be discarded from the collection.
Furthermore, it is essential to monitor the harvesting process to ensure that the tree is not over-harvested. Each apple tree has a limit to the number of apples it can produce, thus over-picking the tree can damage the productive capacity of the tree.
Lastly, apple pickers must be aware of good picking conditions and observe the right steps when collecting their apples. Appropriate measures taken at the time of harvest, such as choosing the right tools and ensuring that they are correctly used, will result in better quality apples with a longer shelf-life and improved storage capabilities.
Importance of Apple Storage
Collecting apples is only the first step. The harvested apples must also be stored appropriately in order to maintain their quality, texture and flavour. Store-bought apples are often transported over long distances, so it is paramount for apple pickers to ensure that their apples are adequately stored and kept in good condition.
Apples will often start to soften over time and lose their natural crispness. Care must be taken to prevent apples from becoming overly ripe, by keeping the temperature and humidity levels low in apple storage. This will allow the apples to retain their texture and flavour for a longer period of time.
To best preserve the apples’ quality, apple pickers can place the apples in cold storage and ventilate them properly. The use of adequate storage containers and dividers can also help keep apples away from other fruits and vegetables. Apples come in contact with a variety of bacteria which can act as a vector of transfer of disease, so it is important to store them well.
Furthermore, apples should be properly labelled so that they can be easily identified and tracked when moving through long supply chains. As the apples are transported, hand-written labels along with automated systems will allow the apples to be identified and linked to specific apple varieties and harvest regions. This can be beneficial to the business as it can provide additional information on the quality of apples.
Apple pickers must also take into account the length of time required for storing apples. Generally speaking, apples can last for about three months when stored correctly. However, due to the perishable nature of apples, apple pickers should ensure that their apples are not stored for a long period of time.
Robotics in Apple Harvesting
Alongside the manual methods of apple harvesting, the use of robotics and automated systems provides an easier and more efficient approach to picking apples. These systems can be operated remotely and can be used to pick apples from a distance. They can be programmed to detect apples and gently roll them off the tree, without damaging the fruit or the tree.
The use of robotics can minimize manual labor, as well as reduce the amount of time required for harvesting. It can also be used to increase harvesting accuracy as robotic systems can be programmed to recognize certain apples and separate them from the rest. This is highly beneficial for apple pickers as it can reduce the risk of over-harvesting and wasted apples.
In addition, robotics can help to monitor the environmental conditions during the apple-picking process. Automated systems can be set up to record the temperature, humidity and wind conditions of the field. This will allow apple pickers to monitor the conditions of their harvest and factor in wind and rain when collecting apples.
Other than improving speed and accuracy, robotics can also be used to increase safety in the apple-picking process. Automated systems can be used to climb up and down trees, so as to reduce the risk of a fall when apple-picking. This also makes it easier for apple pickers to access apples in hard-to-reach places.
Moreover, with the use of robotics, apple pickers can also measure the size of the apples with greater accuracy and identify those that are too large or too small. This can be beneficial for apple pickers as it will enable them to pick apples of the same size and shape, which is often necessary for commercial distribution.
Conclusion
Apple picking is a highly demanding activity, requiring careful observation and preparation. Apple pickers must identify the ideal time for harvesting and select the best apples from the tree. Moreover, they must also monitor the environmental conditions, use appropriate tools and store the apples correctly. As technology advances, robotics and automated systems have enabled apple pickers to harvest apples faster and more accurately. Thus, the use of robotics is likely to become increasingly important in the future of apple-picking.
