The closer autumn is, the more urgent the issue of harvesting becomes. Apples are no exception. When to pick apples for storage and how to determine their maturity - these are the main issues that worry gardeners, especially beginners. Understanding this is not so difficult.
How to determine the readiness of apples for harvest
Each has already developed its own more or less proven methods for determining the maturity of apples. Someone tastes them to taste, someone can say about readiness in appearance. However, the most effective is such a technique. Ready to harvest will be those apples that begin to fall off and very beautiful and large specimens appear in this fall.
If summer varieties are more or less simple, because they are mainly used for processing, then when to collect winter apples for storage, it is much more difficult to determine. Indeed, overripe fruits will not be stored for a long time, and those that have not ripened will not pick up the right amount of sugars.
Signs of ripening apples
There are some signs of determining maturity, by which in general terms you can understand when to pick apples for storage. If the dent disappears when you press on the fruit, then the apple is not ready for collection. But if the peel bursts during this procedure, then the fruit has already overripe. In this case, it is suitable only for processing.
If you press on the fetus, and the peel from this bends, but does not align back, then the apple is fully ripe. You can safely begin to harvest. By external signs, you can also determine the readiness of the fruit. It should be medium in size, without any wormholes, have a bright skin color. The fruit should be sweet and sour in taste and very juicy. Varieties with individual taste characteristics are excluded.
It is better to slightly underestimate the fruits, especially when collecting winter apples for storage, than subsequently they will rot from over-ripening.
Harvesting Antonovka apples for storage
Antonovka is again gaining popularity among gardeners. Every year, more and more amateurs plant it on their personal plots. However, later the question arises before the person: when to collect Antonovka apples for storage?
This variety has consumer and removable readiness. The first occurs when the fetus has become softer, and falls around the end of October. But with regard to removable readiness, we can say that it is ahead of the consumer in terms of almost a month. This period falls at the end of September. The fruits at this time are distinguished by the appearance of a characteristic yellowish color. However, one does not have to wait until the fruit turns completely yellow: this threatens poor preservation and overripe.
It is best to collect an Antonovka in the morning, with the disappearance of dew. For collection, you need to choose dry weather, avoiding getting wet on the fruits before placing them in a box. Gathering begins with the lowest branches and gradually move up. Those apples that fall off during harvesting should not be put in a common storage box: they can be damaged and have much worse keeping quality.
Collection of apples Simirenko for storage
Simirenko apples do not lose popularity from the moment of their appearance to the present. In addition, she continues to grow steadily. Despite the abundance of varieties, many gardeners give preference to just this and want to see it as an honored guest of their site. However, with the advent of the first harvests, gardeners are wondering: when to harvest Semerenko apples for storage?
Simirenko belongs to the late varieties, developed by one enthusiast in the territory of modern Ukraine. Full maturity is observed in them approximately in the middle of autumn. In early October, you can harvest, choosing for this dry and clear weather. When collecting, you should try to take the fruits as carefully as possible without damaging them. The peduncle must also remain intact.
Collection of Spartan apples
Spartan, as well as the two varieties described above, refers to winter varieties of apples. Their distinctive feature is the sweet taste and the presence of a characteristic smack and melon flavor. Those who decided to have it in their area, you need to decide when to collect Spartan apples for storage. They belong to those varieties that are most preferred for long-term storage.
Harvesting begins at the end of September, when they are just beginning to fall to the ground. It is better to carry out the collection on a cool sunny morning, the weather should certainly be dry. In no case should moisture penetrate apples, which can significantly reduce shelf life.
Apple storage
After you have decided on the question of when to pick apples for storage, you need to know where and how to best store them. Harvest should be in wooden boxes, lay hay or straw at the bottom. If they are not, then paper is quite suitable. Between layers of apples also layers of straw or paper are made. You can use other material, but remember that it must “breathe”.
No need to overexpose the harvest in the sun or in the open air, it must immediately be stored. You can store the crop in the basement, but it will be better if the room is cool, dry and well ventilated.
If there is excessive moisture in the room, then you can put containers of lime around the boxes with apples, which will absorb excess moisture. Such very simple methods can significantly extend the shelf life of the apples you collect.
It happens and vice versa: the air in the room is very dry. In this case, around the box with apples, you can install small containers of sand and periodically moisten it with water. The temperature should fluctuate within +2 ... + 5 degrees. In no case should frost be allowed, because the whole harvest will freeze and become unusable.
It is believed that apples should be placed in boxes one at a time. However, it is permissible to pour winter varieties from a bucket. It is recommended to do this very carefully, in no case preventing damage to the fruits and their impacts.
The most difficult thing is for beginner gardeners who, in addition to mastering when to collect apples for storage, also need to study the technologies for their conservation.