When to pick apples: the time of harvesting different varieties for storage for the winter. When to pick apples for storage - we learn by external signs and descriptions of varieties

Apples are one of ancient cultures grown by people. Depending on the timing of fruit ripening, they are divided into three main groups: summer, autumn and winter. Medium (autumn) varieties have a positive effect on health and the general condition of the person.

They have a diuretic and choleretic effect, due to their low calorie content they are used in dietary nutrition. Regular consumption of high-fiber fruits improves digestion and relieves constipation. Apples are rich in iron, potassium, glucose and sucrose, pectin.

Autumn varieties are intermediate option between summer and winter. They almost have time to reach consumer maturity on the tree. Full ripening occurs 10-12 days after harvest. These fruits have the average size, bright color, pleasant dessert taste.

Storage periods vary slightly, they depend on the created conditions. Average indicators - 2-4 months

The most common

1. Shtreifling or autumn striped- one of the most common varieties. Popularity deserved for the high palatability of the fruit. The fruits are medium or large, the skin is thin, smooth, with a wax coating. Coloring in the form of red stripes on a speckled background. The pulp is yellowish, juicy, sweet and sour. Ripens in September, lies until December.
2. Oryol striped- the fruits are large, oblong, the color is green with blurred crimson stripes. The pulp is white, fragrant, with sourness. You need to shoot in September, store in the refrigerator for up to four months.
3. cinnamon striped- apples are medium or small, the color is green or yellow when removed. Gradually, red stripes appear. Valued for its tender flesh, pleasant taste and aroma. Lies up to two months.

Collection time

It is necessary to start harvesting on time, being late threatens with overripeness, and haste - the lack of a rich taste. Autumn varieties traditionally ripen in late August - September. There is no strict harvesting schedule, the harvesting time is adjusted depending on the weather conditions of the season.

When is it necessary to remove all the fruits from the shrub? One way to determine the time of picking apples is to follow the falling fruits. If there are good whole fruits on the ground, it is harvest time.

Knowing the signs of ripening will help determine the exact moment of picking apples.:

The degree of maturation is determined empirically using an iodine solution that reacts with starch.:

1. when half an apple is immersed, the cut turns blue - the fruit is unripe;
2. the middle of the cut is yellow, and the edge is blue - the optimal moment;
3. the apple is yellow - it is overripe.

Gardeners believe that it is better to start collecting autumn varieties a little ahead of schedule than miss the moment.

How to remove from a tree: instructions

Picking apples requires accuracy and knowledge of the specifics of actions. The fruit is taken with the palm of your hand, clasping it with all fingers. Carefully lifting and scrolling, it is plucked from the branch along with the stalk. You can not pull the apple down, it injures the branch, reduces the yield of the next year.

From the hands, the fruit is not thrown into a collection container (basket, bucket, box), but placed. Any impacts and mechanical damage adversely affect the shelf life.

The fruits contain natural protective layer in the form of a waxy coating. When it is erased, the surface of the apples becomes more vulnerable. Wax prevents rot.

The work of picking apples takes place in a certain sequence:

The harvested crop must be cooled and then transport or store.

How to remove fruits for storage: which ones are left?

When they start picking autumn apples from trees, they prepare two containers in advance: one for good and strong fruits, the other for wormy and rotten ones (including those picked up from the ground). Withered fruits can be eaten immediately, and whole ones can be removed for storage for the winter.

Before placing the crop for storage in boxes, it must be sorted. Size sizing into small, medium and large will help evenly distribute the fruits in the rows. Apples are inspected and only those that meet the criteria for long storage are left:

• have a stalk;
• no damage to the cover, wormholes, dents;
• wax coating in place.

Several varieties can be grown in the garden, their storage time is different, so they are separated when sorted.

Boxes with apples should be signed, indicating the variety and time of laying. You do not have to waste time looking for the right fruit.

For long-term storage, it is necessary to slow down the processes in the fruits. This is facilitated by low temperatures. It is best to store apples in the refrigerator or cellar. The room must be dry, clean, free of foreign odors.

It is recommended to whitewash the basement with lime and vitriol. Optimum temperature for autumn varieties– 1-4°C. It is better to stack apples in one layer, using racks or low wooden boxes installed on top of each other.

Small fruits quickly lose their juiciness, and large ones are prone to disease., they go bad first.

For safety, the fruits are wrapped in paper. This is a reasonable way, but laborious. With a large number of crops, wrapping is difficult. Fruits can be sprinkled with dry, clean sawdust, onion peel, sometimes sand is used.

At home, apples are stored in the pantry, on the balcony, in the cellar or in the refrigerator. Autumn varieties in any conditions do not lie for more than three months. Store until spring winter varieties.

Shrub care for the winter

After picking apples, gardeners do not have to relax. It is necessary to prepare the trees for wintering. Agrotechnical measures will help the tree survive low temperatures and give a bountiful harvest next year. What is autumn care :

If you perform all the necessary actions, the apple tree will easily endure the winter.

Autumn apples do not last until spring, these are tasty and useful fruits eaten first. Collected on time and placed in good conditions fruits, stored until January. It is a constant source of pectin, trace elements and other healthy substances.

The fruits of winter varieties of apples have a harmonious taste and persistent aroma. They ripen towards the end of September or the beginning of October, when other fruits are already harvested. Varieties removed from the branches in autumn (before frost) have a long shelf life.

They have more large fruits with high content minerals, especially potassium and iron. Apples contain pectin, vitamins B1 and B2, dietary fiber. The fruits have a strong peel, dense pulp texture. They are suitable for long storage and transportation.

Information. In the industrial cultivation of fruits, it is the winter varieties of apple trees that occupy large area gardens.

The most popular types

• Bogatyr- large heavy fruits of light green color. The pulp is sweet and sour. Ripeness comes by the end of December. You need to pick apples in October, when the fruits can already collect juice before the first frost.
• Aport– red large apples with a glossy skin have crumbly flesh. Sweet and sour taste, used in fresh or go for juices, marmalade, jam. Harvested at the end of September, it ripens in a month.
• Antonovka- an early winter variety that is especially popular. Apples have a green-yellow color, the flesh is juicy, sweet and sour. They pick fruit in September. Three months are stored without processing.
• Jonathan- round-conical fruits of bright red color with a glossy sheen. The pulp is sweet, with increased juiciness and a pleasant aroma. Collection is recommended at the end of September. In cold conditions, they are stored until April - May, in warm storage - until February.

What time to store?

Winter apples are removed in the middle of autumn, it is important to have time to finish the work before the steady cold sets in. Unlike other types of apples, fruits intended for long-term storage are not allowed to fully ripen. They reach consumer maturity not on tree branches, but in boxes. The collection begins when the end of September comes.

Apples are still hard and sour, they contain a large number of starch. After 2-3 months, in the process of ripening, the fruits acquire a color characteristic of the variety, a pronounced aroma appears. Starch undergoes hydrolysis, turning into sucrose and glucose. Apples become sweeter and juicier.

The ripening time of the crop is influenced by weather. In the hot summer, the fruits ripen earlier, in the cold season, maturity is delayed for several weeks. Besides the calendar experts determine the time when you need to pick apples for storage, according to several criteria:

1. fruit size;
2. age - time from flowering, taking into account temperature;
3. cover color;
4. the amount of starch;
5. pulp density.

It is enough for gardeners to know the basic rules when to remove apples for storage, so as not to miss optimal time collection:

• apples are easily separated from the branch along with the stalk;
• the seeds have acquired a dark brown color;
• the fruits are firm and sour, but large.

Advice. When in calm weather under a tree lies several good fruit, this is a signal that it is time to pick fruit for storage.

How to find out the exact time for picking apples for storage:

How to pick fruit?

Harvesting fruits has its own rules, ranging from the choice of weather and time of day, to the method of picking apples. For winter varieties that are placed in long-term storage, especially it is important to follow the collection rules:

1. Do not water the tree before harvest.
2. Choose dry weather for work. It is better to start by lunchtime, when the dew dries. The fruits must be dry, moisture contributes to the spread of diseases.
3. First of all, apples are cut off from the lower branches, gradually moving towards the crown.
4. Fruits can not be pulled, while the branches are damaged. They are taken in hand and rotated, lifting. With this technology, the stalk is carefully separated from the branch. Her presence is good guarantee for long-term storage.
5. The fruits are removed and placed in a container carefully, trying not to damage the peel and wax coating on it.
6. First, apples are removed from the south side of the tree, where they ripen earlier.

Attention. You can not shake the tree to get the fruit that is on high branches.

In the case when the fruits are damaged during the fall, they cannot be removed for storage. Such apples will quickly rot themselves and spoil the next fruit.

Apples from high branches are torn using a ladder or special devices- fruit pickers. Is it purchased or homemade design made of plastic with cutouts on the edges. It is attached to a long stick and allows you to carefully remove the fruit. Wormy, damaged fruits and carrion are immediately rejected for processing.

How to pick apples for storage:

Preparing to bookmark for the winter

Before being placed in long-term storage, apples must be prepared. The first step is sorting. Fruits are selected according to several parameters:

• size - small, medium, large;
• quality - a whole peel, the absence of wormholes and other damage, the presence of a stalk;
• variety - depending on the variety, apples differ in shelf life.

Apples should not be left in the air for a long time after picking, it is advisable to immediately send them to storage.

Advice. The optimal container for storing apples is wooden boxes. Before laying the fruits, they must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate and dried.

How to store and stack?

Long-term storage of apples is possible only when the temperature is low enough - 2-5°C. The humidity in the room matters, it should be in the range of 85-90%. In a dry microclimate, fruits quickly wither and shrivel.

Containers with wet sand will help to avoid this. If a basement is used for storage, it must be prepared. Clean up, whitewash the walls with a solution of lime and blue vitriol. Disinfection will get rid of bacteria and fungi that threaten the condition of apples.

There are several ways to stack apples:

Places where apples can be stored can be the following: pantry, balcony, basement, refrigerator.

Important! Apples should not be stored next to other fruits and vegetables. They release ethylene, which is detrimental to food.

During the winter, the fruits are regularly inspected., rotten apples are removed.

Tree care after harvest

Competent autumn care contributes to safe wintering and bountiful harvest next year. It includes several activities.

Some gardeners cover the trunk with burlap to protect against frost and rodents, but this is not necessary.

Apples are one of the most delicious and healthy fruits. Winter varieties are different large quantity vitamins and retain their qualities for many months. Fruits with sweet and sour pulp and dense skin provide gardeners beneficial substances until next spring. Apples can be consumed fresh or processed into compotes, jams, dried fruits.

Harvesting apple pears, occurs depending on the variety, and on the period of their ripening, from our article you will learn:

• When to pick apples

• When to pick pears

• How to keep fruits longer

• Table with the shelf life of apples

picking apples

The easiest and surest way to determine when pick apples, is, of course, a taste test of the fruit, this works great with early varieties of apples, but it will be problematic to determine the ripeness of winter varieties for testing. The problem with the definition palatability, is due to the fact that the whole gamut of taste in winter varieties of apples, such as Jonathan, is fully revealed only after storing apples in a dark, cool place. In this regard, apples of late varieties are divided into 2 categories:

• Apples suitable for picking

When to pick pears

pear harvesting, also a very inaccurate matter, pear ripeness depends on many factors, primarily on the weather, in a dry and hot summer, the fruits ripen faster. As a rule, pear fruits are harvested while still green and firm, and stored in a cool place or refrigerator, at a temperature of about 2 ° C, where they ripen and become soft. Remove pears of such varieties as:

• Ilyinka
• Moscow
• Venus
• Elegant Efimova

prominent pear

late ripe "Pear Velas"

How to keep apples longer

In order to store apples, you will need a dark, cool place with a temperature of 2-5C. Where to store apples? As a rule, apples are stored in wooden boxes, put the apples there carefully and leave them a little space, do not stack them very closely, choose only healthy, undamaged fruits, slightly greenish for storage, below is a table, from which you will learn when to pick apples in what container and at what temperature to store.

Harvesting pear apples takes place depending on the variety, and on the period of their ripening, from our article you will learn:

• When to pick apples

• When to pick pears

• How to keep fruits longer

When to pick apples

Unfortunately, guess exactly when picking apples quite hard, because it all depends on the variety and on what kind of apples you like, a little sour or sweet. If you pick apples a little earlier than their ripening period, nothing bad will happen, but to delay it and let the apples start to rot is already bad. Because in case of delay with the assembly, the storage of apples or their transportation becomes problematic. Also, a delay in harvesting can lead to problems with the next harvest because it can lead to inhibition of the formation of fruit buds. Early varieties of apples begin to be harvested as early as July, and this process can continue until last days October.

The easiest and surest way to determine when to pick apples is, of course, a test of the fruit for taste, this works great with early varieties of apples, but it will be problematic to determine the ripeness of winter varieties on a test. The problem with the definition of taste is due to the fact that the whole gamut of taste in winter varieties of apples, such as Jonathan, is fully revealed only after storing apples in a dark, cool place. In this regard, apples of late varieties are divided into 2 categories:

• Apples suitable for picking
• Apples to eat

When, however, it is impossible to determine the ripeness of the fruit by taste, it is determined by the color of the apple. The easiest way to determine the ripeness of the red varieties, if you are not sure about the ripeness of the apple, try to remove it from the branch, this is done easily, this is a sign that the fruit is ready for harvest. Also good method determine when to pick apples, is the color of the pit, y ripe apples they are brown.

When to pick pears

Harvesting a pear is also a very inaccurate matter, the ripeness of a pear depends on many factors, primarily on the weather, in a dry and hot summer, the fruits ripen faster. As a rule, pear fruits are harvested while still green and firm, and stored in a cool place or refrigerator, at a temperature of about 2 ° C, where they ripen and become soft. Remove pears of such varieties as:

• Ilyinka
• Moscow
• Venus
• Elegant Efimova

For late-ripening pears such as: prominent pear» methods for determining ripeness are similar, the pear gives a signal that the time for picking the fruit has come by yellowing the skin. But with this pear variety, the approach to harvesting is different, you cannot harvest the fruits all at once, since this variety is not stored for a long time.

late ripe "Pear Velas" boasts of its exquisite taste, which is in no way inferior to the southern varieties of pears, and it is stored longer up to 3 months. In hot weather, this variety does not feel very good, so if there are problems, you can safely remove the pears and store them.

How to store apples

In order to store apples, you will need a dark, cool place with a temperature of 2-5C. Where to store apples? As a rule, apples are stored in wooden boxes, put the apples there carefully and leave them a little space, do not stack them very closely, choose only healthy, undamaged fruits, slightly greenish for storage, below is a table, from which you will learn when to pick apples in what container and at what temperature to store

apple storage table

The closer autumn, the more urgent the issue of harvesting becomes. Apples are no exception. When to harvest apples for storage and how to determine their maturity are the main questions that gardeners, especially beginners, care about. It's not that hard to figure this out.

How to determine the readiness of apples for picking

Everyone has already developed their own more or less proven methods for determining the maturity of apples. Someone tries them to taste, someone can say about readiness for appearance. However, this method is the most effective. Ready for harvest will be those apples that begin to fall off and very beautiful and large specimens appear in this carrion.

If everything is more or less simple with summer varieties, because they are mainly processed, then it is much more difficult to decide when to pick winter apples for storage. After all, overripe fruits will not be stored for a long time, and those that are not ripe will not gain the right amount sugars.

Signs of ripeness of apples

There are some signs of maturity, according to which in in general terms you can figure out when to pick apples for storage. If the dent disappears when pressing on the fruit, then the apple is not yet ready for picking. But if the skin bursts during this procedure, then the fruit has already overripe. In this case, it is only suitable for processing.

If you press on the fruit, and the skin bends from this, but does not level back, then the apple is fully ripe. You can safely proceed to outward signs you can also determine the readiness of the fruit. It should be of medium size, without any wormholes, and have a brightly colored skin. The fruit should be sweet and sour in taste and very juicy. Varieties with individual taste characteristics fall under the exception.

It is better to underexpose the fruits a little, especially when picking winter apples for storage, than later they will rot from overripe.

Collection of antonovka for storage

Antonovka is again gaining popularity among gardeners. Every year more and more lovers plant it on their household plots. However, later a question arises before a person: when to collect antonovka apples for storage?
This variety has consumer and removable readiness. The first occurs when the fruit has become softer, and falls around the end of October. But with regard to removable readiness, we can say that it is ahead of consumer terms by 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 should not wait until the fruit turns completely yellow: this threatens with poor storage and overripeness.

It is best to collect antonovka in the morning, with the disappearance of dew. For collection, you need to choose dry weather, avoiding dampness on the fruits before placing in a box. The collection starts from the lowest branches and gradually moves up. Those apples that fall off on their own during picking should not be placed in a common storage box: they may be damaged and have a much worse keeping quality.

Collection of Simirenko apples for storage

Apples of the Simirenko variety have not lost popularity from the very moment of their appearance to the present. In addition, it continues to grow steadily. Despite the abundance of varieties, many gardeners prefer this and want to see him as an honored guest of their site. However, with the advent of the first crops, gardeners are wondering: when to collect for storage?

Simirenko refers to late varieties, bred by one enthusiast on the territory of modern Ukraine. Full maturation is observed in them around the middle of autumn. In early October, you can harvest, choosing dry and clear weather for this. When harvesting, you need to try to remove the fruits as carefully as possible, without damaging them. The stem must also remain intact.

Collection of Spartan apples

Spartan, like the two varieties described above, belongs to the winter varieties of apples. Their distinctive feature is the sweet taste and the presence of a characteristic taste of melon and strawberry. Those who decide to start it in their area need to decide when to pick Spartan apples for storage. They are among those varieties that are most preferred for long-term storage.

The collection of fruits begins at the end of September, when they are just beginning to fall to the ground. It is better to collect on a cool sunny morning, there must certainly be dry weather. In no case should moisture penetrate the apples, which can significantly reduce the shelf life.

Stacking apples for storage

Once you have decided on when to pick apples for storage, you need to know where and how best to store them. The crop should be laid in wooden boxes, put hay or straw on the bottom. If not, then paper will do. Layers of straw or paper are also made between the layers of apples. You can use other material, but remember that it must "breathe".

No need to overdo harvested crop in the sun or in the open air, it must be stored immediately. You can store the crop in the basement, but it would be better if the room is cool, dry and well ventilated.

If there is excess moisture in the room, then you can put lime containers around the boxes with apples, which will absorb excess moisture. Such very simple methods can significantly extend the shelf life of your apples.

The opposite happens: the air in the room is very dry. In this case, small containers with sand can be placed around the box with apples and periodically moistened with water. The temperature should fluctuate within +2 ... +5 degrees. In no case should freezing be allowed, because the entire harvest will freeze and become unusable.

It is believed that apples in boxes should be placed one at a time. However, winter varieties can be poured from a bucket. It is recommended to do this very carefully, in no case allowing damage to the fruits and their impacts.

The most difficult thing is for novice gardeners, who, in addition to learning when to pick apples for storage, also need to learn the technologies for preserving them.

Each type of apple different term ripening: some are harvested in autumn, others can be already at the end of summer. It is important not to allow the crop to overripe, otherwise it will not be stored for a long time.

You can not remove unripe fruits, because they did not have time to accumulate a sufficient amount of sugar and they sour. In order not to be mistaken, you need to know not only at what time this or that variety ripens, but also be able to determine visually when the crop is ready.

How to know when apples are ripe

First of all, you should pay attention to the padanka. If there are many large and beautiful fruits among the fruits lying on the ground, then the time has come for harvesting.

You can determine the maturity of apples by the following signs:

1. If a dent does not form when pressing on the fruit, then it is not yet ripe, the skin has burst - overripe and not suitable for long-term storage. These apples will make delicious preparations: jam or jam.
2. If, when you press the fruit, a dent forms and does not level out, it means that it is fully ripe and you can safely start harvesting.
3. Ripe apples have whitish or creamy flesh.
4. External signs speak of maturity: the fetus has reached the right sizes(it is different for each variety), there are no wormholes on the surface, red color or with the presence yellow shade. The taste of an apple is sweet and sour or sweet (depending on the variety). Seeds of ripe fruits are brown.

There is a very interesting method determining the degree of maturity of apples. This will require 1 liter of distilled water, 4 g of potassium iodide and 1 g of iodine are placed in it. When the composition is ready, half the fruit is lowered into it. Unripe fruits contain a lot of starch, which will begin to turn blue in the solution. After 2 minutes, the pulp will change color. According to the acquired color, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• the apple in the core area and turned blue at the edges - it is too early to harvest;
• the blue color did not appear - the fruits have already overripe;
• a blue color formed around the edges, and the middle turned yellow - the apples are ripe, you can start picking.

Selling in garden stores special sets, consisting of chemical ingredients, from which a solution is made and dripped onto a slice of fruit. According to the table that is attached to each product, determine the degree of maturity.

When to start harvesting?

You need to start harvesting apples in a timely manner, because the degree of readiness for winter storage depends on this. According to the ripening time, varieties are divided into 3 types:

1. Summer. They are not suitable for winter storage, you can collect fruits already in the 2nd half of August, but they will lie for no more than a month, so they are either immediately eaten or harvested.
2. The collection period for autumn varieties begins at the end of August and ends at the beginning of autumn. Apples will lie for 3-4 months.
3. Winter varieties. They are best suited for long term storage. Fruits keep well until March. The harvest season starts at the end of September and ends in mid-October.

Winter varieties of apples are best not eaten immediately after picking, as the fruits will still be a little sour. After lying down for a while, they will become tastier and sugar will accumulate in them (the longer they are, the sweeter they will be).