Page 29 - ALG Issue 3 2018

Depending on which part of the UK that you garden in, the traditional apple picking season runs from August to mid- November. Generally speaking, the harvest in the warmer south will be ready slightly earlier than in the cooler regions of the country.
Harvesting time and seasons of use
Apples are divided into three seasons of use: early, mid and late season. The early crop ripens during August to early September and this crop of apples are for consuming as soon as possible after picking, because they have very poor keeping qualities. Example: ‘Discovery’.
The mid-season apples are harvested from mid-September until the end of October. These are put into store to ripen, becoming ready for eating over four to eight weeks. Example: ‘Charles Ross’ dual purpose.
Late season apples are capable of being stored until late January to March. They are left on the tree until the last possible moment, which is usually mid to late November when the first of the hard frosts (-2°C) arrive. Example: ‘Egremont Russet’.
How do you know when the apples are ready to harvest?
With apples, being ready to harvest and being ripe enough to eat are not related. This is why the early apples are ripe but can’t be stored, whilst the mid-season and late apples are ready to pick but still require a period of time in store to develop their true flavour. This period is known as ‘finishing off’.
To find out if the fruit is ripe to pick you should cup the fruit in the palm of your hand, wrapping your fingers around the apple. Nest, gently lifting the apple upwards and gently twisting it to one side. If it breaks away with a satisfying click it is ready, but if there is resistance the fruit isn’t ready yet.
Picking and storing apples
Be organised: have
the boxes/trays ready,
the storage area clear
and cleaned, ready for the
apples. Cut single sheets of
newspaper into 20cm squares
to wrap the individual fruits in.
Choose a cool day for the job, as
it is better to pick the apples when
they are cold. Once the apples have
been picked keep them in the shade and cover the apples, taking every precaution to keep the fruits cool. Plan to get the fruits from the tree and into store in the shortest possible time, a couple of hours at most.
The fruit doesn’t ripen all at once. Usually the apples towards the top of the tree and at the ends
of the branches tend to ripen first. It is worth checking over these areas first.
Inspect all of the fruit and only save the very best for putting into store. Reject those showing any sign of damage; the smallest bruise or break on the skin will rot over the months. Decaying fruit gives
off the gas ethylene, which in turn will speed up the ripening of the remaining apples. Carefully wrap each individual fruit and either pack them one layer deep in trays or space them out 12.5mms apart on shelves or tables.
Organise the apple store so that the various groups of apple will be gathered together in their sequence of ripening, with the first to be used at the front of the queue. Over time the skins may change colour or develop a waxy texture; these are signs that the apples are ripening. Your nose will also let you know when it is worth sampling the goods!
Mike Thurlow
An expert guide to...
Harvesting and Storing Apples
Apple Days
Always check locally nearer the date
Highfield Park
7th October 2018, 2pm – 4pm www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk/event/apple-day
Tewin Orchard and Hopkyns Wood
7th October 2018, 12pm – 4pm www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2018-10-07-apple- day-2018
Clovelly Village
24th October 2018, 12pm – 5pm www.clovelly.co.uk/events/apple-day/
Cambridge Botanic Garden
21st October 2018 www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/WhatsOn.aspx
Ironbridge Gorge
13th October 2018, 10.30am – 5pm http://www.shropshireappletrust.co.uk/appleday.php
Blackmoor Estate
14th October 2018 www.blackmoor.co.uk/appleday.php
Exmoor National Park
13th October 2018, 11.30am – 4pm www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enjoying/events/all-events/ apple-day-2018
Cressing Temple Gardens
14th October 2018, 11am – 4pm www.visitparks.co.uk/events/apple-day/
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