September is harvest month. Especially when it comes to fruit, there is plenty to pick up in the garden during this month. And you really don't need a whole orchard for that. A first apple tree will get you somewhere, and you can of course add other types of fruit trees or bushes later on. How do you get from that apple tree to a full basket of apples?
Choosing the right apple tree
Which apples do you want?
Apple trees come in lots of varieties, which is very nice, but does not always make the choice easy. Some tips for selecting the right apple tree.
Visit a grower as early as this period, as you can often see and taste the apples there.
Think about the taste of your apples (sweet or with acidity) and texture (crisp, juicy or soft).
Also consider what purpose you want to be able to harvest apples for. Are you looking for a good storage apple to eat from for a long time? Or do you mainly want to make applesauce or compote for the winter? Or do you not want to harvest them yourself at all and let the birds enjoy them?
What type of tree do you want?
There are also some considerations around the apple tree itself. Briefly, you have three types of apple trees: with a low, medium or high trunk.
Where in the garden will you plant the tree? And how much space do you have? Low-stemmed apple trees can be planted closer together; taller-stemmed ones often have a wider crown and require more space.
How do you want to harvest? Are you willing to use a ladder to prune a tall-stemmed apple tree and harvest it later? Or would you rather keep your feet on the ground and choose a medium-high type? Keep in mind that with low-trunk specimens, you may have to make a little more effort to crawl under the tree.
How soon do you want to harvest? High-stemmed apple trees can yield up to 100 kilograms of crop, but you have to wait several years for them. With a medium-stemmed one, you will have apples to harvest after about three years.
Some small apple trees can even be kept in a pot, such as on the patio or balcony.
Not to mention, if you plant the apple tree as a solitary, you should choose a self-pollinator. Cross-pollinating varieties need other apple trees that are near them AND bloom around the same time.
Tips for harvesting apples
Some apples ripen earlier than others. And color doesn't always tell you exactly when an apple is ripe. The best way to find out when you can pick them is to feel if the stalk is already letting go when you gently twist the apple.
Don't start pulling like crazy on all the apples in the tree. Make a slight twisting motion upward and feel if the apple comes loose. If not, it's too early and leave it hanging a bit more.
Did you damage an apple while picking it anyway? Best not to leave it too long before eating or processing it, as mold can form more quickly.
Can you also use apples that have fallen to the ground by themselves? Yes, if you cut away any rotten spots. You can't keep those apples, but they are still suitable for use in, say, a pie or as applesauce.
Bring a harvest basket or bucket with you when you pick apples. For tall-stemmed trees, and even some with mid-height trunks, you will also need a ladder or step stool. Be careful not to throw the apples down from the tree, because you can't keep a damaged apple for long.
Keeping apples
Apples picked, now what? Do you store them in the refrigerator or just barely? How long do they stay good?
Store apples in a dark, cool place. By cool, we mean about 4 degrees. Don't choose a place where it can freeze and make sure no animals can get to your crop.
The biggest ones store the least long. So eat those apples the quickest.
You can also store apples in processed form, such as as compote in sterile jars or as applesauce in the freezer.
Check your storage apples regularly. Remove any that have begun to mold or rot anyway.
Tip: Do not put apples with different storage times together, as one variety can ripen the other faster.
