Fall Apple Harvesting and Winter Storage Tips
Fall is apple harvesting time, and we can't wait for that first crisp bite! Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss for harvesting information and tips on storing your apples to keep them fresh.
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For fruit tree growers, apple-picking season is one of the most anticipated times of the year. While it depends on your climate and apple variety, this usually falls from late summer through the fall. Harvesting them is a celebration of fall abundance and the sweetness of nature.
Growing apple trees is a rewarding investment in both beauty and delicious fruit. If you’re just getting started, be sure to choose varieties that thrive in your climate. Pay attention to chill hours, especially. Most apple trees are not self-pollinating, so for a bountiful harvest, you’ll need to plant more than one variety.
Plant your apple tree in a spot with plenty of sun exposure and rich, slightly acidic soil. Water it consistently during dry spells and fertilize it regularly. With proper care and a bit of patience, your tree should produce fruit in a few short years. So let’s talk about apple harvesting and storage.
When to Harvest
It takes some special attention to identify the ideal time for apple harvesting and storage. In general, apples ripen in the fall, though some will be ready to harvest in late summer.
The region strongly influences when your apples will be perfectly ripe. Temperature, sunlight, climate, and elevation all play a role in ripening your apples.
In cooler regions, apple trees will flower later in the spring, which means that they will ripen later in the year. The opposite applies to warmer climates, where your tree will bloom earlier, and the apples will ripen earlier. For the most part, warmth expedites sugar production and, as a result, ripening.
While elevation is less of a factor, apples tend to ripen more slowly at higher elevations. They get less heat, and that delays their development. The same applies to regions that frequently experience cloudy weather. Apples grown under these conditions will have a more intense color and flavor.
Ultimately, the indications that your apples are ripe come down to color, firmness, and flavor. Another important clue is how easily they come away from the tree. Finally, fruit drop is an indication that a tree is ready for harvesting. When the first few apples fall, they are ready.
Color
Color is a good indicator of ripeness, but it varies according to your variety. Red types take on a blush, but the underlying color will also shift from green to yellow. Green types will lighten up to a more yellow-green tone. Naturally, if you’re growing a cultivar that has deep red fruit, you won’t detect that undertone. They will just turn deep red when they’re ripe.
Firmness and Flavor
A ripe apple should be crisp but juicy and sweet or tart. Under-ripe fruits are usually starchy and drier with a sour or bland flavor. Overripe fruits are soft and mealy. A taste test is the best way to determine ripeness. Sample one every few days around the time you expect them to ripen. This is the most definitive test.
How to Do It
Gentleness is the key to apple harvesting and storage. Bruised fruits age poorly, so you won’t be able to store them for long. The only equipment you need for harvesting is your hands and a basket. A cloth to line the basket will give some cushion and help protect them.
Apples on the outside and upper branches will mature first, so this is where you should start. You can harvest in two rounds, as the ones on the interior of the tree will ripen more slowly. Leaving them for an additional week or two will allow these to ripen completely.
Hold the apple in your palm. Lift and twist upward, or roll the fruit toward the branch to detach it. Don’t yank or pull them; if they’re ready, they should come away easily with the stem attached. Place them gently in your basket to avoid bruising them.
Sort Before Storage
After harvesting, you want to sort your apples to determine how to store them. Sort them gently, using a towel or soft blanket to cover the surface where you sort them. Don’t wash them before storing, as their natural coating will protect them from cold and moisture loss.
Sort through and divide your fruits into two groups. The first group is long-term storage, and the second is for apples to eat now or process in some other manner.
The ones you store long-term need to be firm with no bruises or cuts. Look to see that there are no soft spots, cracks, or discoloration, especially around the ends. These are the best ones for keeping in storage for several weeks to several months.
Any apples with blemishes, bruises, or soft spots you’ll want to make immediate use of. They won’t store well, but they’re usually still good for preserving, making applesauce, juice, or baked goods.
Wrap and Stack Them
Leave aside your process-first apples and focus first on those for storage. First, we want to get the perfect ones into storage as quickly as possible. You can use a crate, box, or other container to store them. Just make sure there is ventilation to prevent mold from growing.
I highly recommend wrapping your individual fruits in paper before storage. This prevents them from touching. Apples release ethylene gas as they ripen, which speeds the ripening of the ones around them. So wrapping them in craft paper or newspaper slows the spread of the gas and the ripening process.
Place your apples in single layers in your chosen containers. Avoid stacking them more than two or three layers deep. The weight can cause bruising and speed up the decay process.
Keep Them Cool
The fruit continues to respire after apple harvesting and storage. Warmer temperatures speed up this process, which causes them to soften, lose moisture, and break down faster. So, it’s important to store them in a cool location. By doing so, you significantly slow down the respiration process.
Storing them in a cool place also helps cut back on the activity of fungi and bacteria. Both of these can cause spoilage. The ideal storage temperature is between 30 and 40°F (-1 and 4°C). A refrigerator or a cool basement is a good location for long-term storage.
Maintain Humidity
This is an element of storage that is often overlooked, but it’s important. Humidity is the second key to keeping your apples fresh after harvesting them. It is what prevents the fruit from drying out and losing its crisp texture.
Apples are about 80% water. If you store them in a dry environment, they will naturally release moisture into the air. Storing them in a dry space will cause them to shrivel, the skin to wrinkle, and the flesh to become soft and mealy.
A humidity level of 90% will keep your apples juicy for months, but that’s difficult to maintain. It also encourages the growth of mold and bacteria, especially without proper ventilation. This is why it’s important to store your apples in a container with proper air flow.
In your refrigerator, your apples should be good for several months. They will get the right amount of humidity and the right temperature. If you’re storing in a root cellar or basement, you’ll need some extra help. Storing them in damp sand, sawdust, or straw will help maintain the moisture level.
Keep Away From Other Produce
Apples contain ethylene gas, which helps them to ripen after harvesting. It also influences other nearby produce, causing them to ripen or spoil faster. The produce most influenced by this factor includes: leafy greens, root vegetables, berries, cucurbits, citrus, and brassicas.
To avoid this issue, store your apples away from other produce. You can do this by placing them in their own drawer or in a separate bin if you don’t have the space. This will help maintain the freshness of both your apples and other fruits and vegetables.
Preserve Them
Now, what about that other group of apples we separated after harvesting? You’ll want to deal with those imperfect apples sooner rather than later. The longer they sit and wait, the more they will break down and lose flavor and texture.
Apples with bruises or blemishes are best used right away. Damaged spots lead quickly to rot and decay. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of ways that you can prepare and preserve these less-than-perfect fruits.
Bruised apples are perfectly fine for baking with. Just cut away the bruised parts and use the rest for making pies, muffins, or delicious cakes. Other great ways to preserve your apples include applesauce, apple butter, cider, juice, or syrup. Truly, the sky is the limit; use your imagination!
