The Best Way to Grow & Store Apples

Every variety of apple tree matures at a different rate.

Apples are some of the most popular fruits with their sweet blooms and versatile fruit. To grow and harvest apples at home, though, gardeners must give apple trees the right care and know when to harvest and how to store the fruit.

Growing Needs

Apple trees require full sun for at least eight hours a day, particularly during their blooming and fruiting season. Trees that don't get enough sun won't bloom or produce fruit. Apples do best in loose, rich soil with plenty of organic compost. They require at least an inch of water every week.

Harvesting

One of the most important aspects of growing apples is knowing when to harvest. Each variety of apple tree has its own growth rate and therefore an ideal harvest time. Redfree and Pristine apples mature early in the summer, while Jonafree and Liberty are mid-summer harvests, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Enterprise and Goldrush apples don't mature until late summer and early fall. Gardeners should pick apples at their ideal maturity, rather than green or over-ripe.

Storage

The Iowa State University Extension also notes that different types of apples store for different lengths of time. Lodi apples, for example, will store only for a week or two, while others--Red Delicious and Chieftan--will store for up to six months. Before storage, gardeners should eliminate or use any bruised or broken apples. Large apples will store less effectively and are best eaten immediately. Apples store best at low temperatures and last longer if they're kept below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideal fruit storage areas have high humidity with cool temperatures to prevent fruit breakdown or dehydration.

References

• Iowa State University Extension: Harvesting and Storing Apples
• Ohio State University Fact Sheet: Growing Apples in the Home Orchard
• Aggie Horticulture: Home Fruit Production: Apples