You’ve waited all season, and now your apple trees are heavy with fruit. But picking them too soon or too late can mean a disappointing harvest. Knowing when is the best time to pick apples is the secret to crisp, flavorful fruit that stores well.
The perfect timing isn’t just about the calendar date. It involves watching for visual clues, performing simple tests, and understanding your specific apple variety. Let’s walk through the clear signs that tell you your apples are ready for harvest.
When Is The Best Time To Pick Apples
This is the core question for every apple grower. The best time is typically in the autumn, but the exact window varies. It depends on your local climate, the weather during the growing season, and, most importantly, the type of apple you are growing.
The Key Signs of Apple Ripeness
Apples give you several reliable signals that they are ready. Don’t rely on just one; check for a combination of these indicators.
1. Color Change
The most obvious sign is a change in the apple’s base color. This is the background color, not the red blush.
- Green apples will turn a more yellowish-green.
- Red varieties develop a full, deep red hue over most of the fruit.
- The stem area and the basin around it should also lose any green tint.
2. Seed Color
Cut a sample apple open horizontally. The seeds of a ripe apple are usually dark brown. If they are still white or light tan, the apple likely needs more time.
3. The Stem Test
This is a very reliable method. Cup an apple in your hand, lift it, and give it a gentle twist.
- If the stem separates easily from the branch with a clean break, the apple is ripe.
- If you have to tug hard and risk breaking the branch, it’s not ready yet.
4. Flavor and Texture
Of course, taste is a final test. A ripe apple will be crisp and juicy, with a balanced flavor—not starchy or overly tart. The flesh should be firm, not soft or mealy.
How Apple Variety Affects Your Harvest Date
Different apple types ripen at vastly different times. They are generally catagorized as early, mid-season, and late-season varieties.
- Early-Season (Summer Apples): Examples like ‘Paula Red’ or ‘Ginger Gold’ ripen as early as late July through August. They are best eaten fresh soon after picking and don’t store for long.
- Mid-Season: Varieties like ‘McIntosh’ or ‘Honeycrisp’ are usually ready from September to early October. They offer a good balance for fresh eating and short-term storage.
- Late-Season (Winter Apples): Cultivars such as ‘Fuji’, ‘Granny Smith’, and ‘Braeburn’ ripen in late October or even November. They are excellent for long-term storage and their flavor often improves after picking.
Always look up the expected harvest period for the specific trees in your garden.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Harvesting Your Apples
Once you’ve determined it’s time, proper technique protects your fruit and your tree for future seasons.
- Gather Your Tools: Use a soft-sided basket or bucket. Wear soft gloves if your prefer. For high branches, a fruit-picking pole with a basket can be very helpful.
- Pick on a Dry Day: Harvest when the fruit is dry to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. A sunny afternoon is ideal.
- Handle with Care: Always twist and lift; never pull straight down. Handle apples gently to avoid bruising, which leads to rot.
- Start from the Outside: Begin picking from the lower, outer branches and work your way in and up. The fruit on the outside and top of the tree usually ripens first.
- Keep Stems Intact: If possible, leave the stem attached to the apple. Removing it creates a wound where decay can start.
- Sort as You Go: Place perfectly ripe, unblemished apples gently into your storage container. Set aside any with obvious damage or signs of pests for immediate use.
What to Do After You Pick Your Apples
Post-harvest handling is crucial for enjoying your apples for months to come.
Initial Sorting and Culling
Do a more thorough sort after harvesting. Separate apples into three groups:
- Perfect for Storage: Flawless, firm apples with stems.
- For Immediate Use: Apples with minor bruises, bird pecks, or those that are over-ripe. Use these for eating, sauce, or baking within a few days.
- Compost: Any apples with major rot, insect damage, or disease.
Proper Storage Conditions
Most late-season apples store best under specific conditions. The goal is to slow there respiration.
- Temperature: Ideal storage is between 30-35°F (-1 to 2°C).
- Humidity: High humidity (around 90%) prevents shriveling. A basement, garage, or spare refrigerator can work.
- Airflow: Store apples in single layers in cardboard boxes or wooden crates. Don’t pile them deep.
- Keep Them Separate: Apples release ethylene gas, which can cause nearby potatoes or other produce to spoil faster.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced gardeners can make these errors. Here’s what to watch out for.
- Picking by Date Alone: The calendar is a guide, not a rule. Always use the ripeness tests.
- Harvesting All at Once: Apples on the same tree often ripen over a 1-2 week period. Pick in multiple sessions.
- Ignoring the Drop: A few healthy apples falling is normal. A sudden increase in “windfalls” is a strong sign the main harvest is ready.
- Storing Damaged Fruit: One bad apple really can spoil the bunch. Never store damaged fruit with sound apples.
- Washing Before Storage: Don’t wash apples until right before you use them. The natural bloom on the skin helps preserve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you pick apples too early?
Yes. Apples picked too early will not develop their full sweetness or flavor. They may be sour, starchy, and prone to shriveling in storage. They also won’t ripen properly off the tree like a peach or banana would.
What happens if you pick apples too late?
Over-ripe apples become soft and mealy. They lose their crisp texture and may develop a bland or overly sweet flavor. They are also much more suseptible to dropping and bruising, and they won’t store for more than a few days.
Do apples continue to ripen after picking?
Apples are a “climacteric” fruit, but only slightly. They will soften after picking, but their starch converts to sugar very little off the tree. For the best flavor, they must ripen on the branch.
How do I know when green apples are ripe?
For green varieties like ‘Granny Smith’, watch for a shift from a grassy green to a lighter, more yellowish-green. The stem test and seed color are especially important for judging green apples.
Is there a best time of day to pick apples?
Late morning or afternoon on a dry day is optimal. This allows any dew to evaporate and the fruit’s internal temperatures to be stable, which is better for storage.
Mastering the art of timing your apple harvest takes a little practice, but it’s deeply rewarding. By paying close attention to your trees and using these simple, practical tests, you’ll be able to gather your fruit at its absolute peak. The result is a bounty of crisp, juicy apples perfect for fresh eating, baking, and storing through the season.