Deb Brown, here, on picking apples.
Apples will not ripen well once they're picked. Skin color is never a good
indicator, though dark seeds are. Check how easily they come off the tree,
but even more important, taste them. If they taste they way they ought to,
go ahead and pick them. If they still taste a bit starchy you can pick,
but realize they won't improve.
We aren't that far from mid September; some might be ripe already, but I'd
definitely taste several before taking them from the tree.
I have Sweet Sixteens and Honeycrisp Apple trees. Both are considered to
have medium ripening times which means the middle of September. I looked
at some of the Extension charts and came up with this idea.
Due to the long, hot and dry summer is it possible that the apples should
be picked sooner? The Sweet Sixteens do have ripe seeds inside. The
Honeycrisps are not as far along color wise.
Any opinions out there. I would like to get the apples off the trees and
into storage as soon as possible because chipmunks, birds and squirrels are
doing their thing.
Grace, Morrison
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