How to Pick Apples at the Apple Orchard

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By Jessica Schira
eHow Contributing Writer

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One of the best things about the autumn is the ripening of the year's apple crop. Nothing tastes as good as a freshly ripened apple on a warm autumn evening. The only thing better is if you have gone to the orchard and personally picked the apple from the tree. There are many apple orchards that are "U-pick". Orchard owners like having customers pick their own apples because it means that they are able to sell their apple crop without having to hire extra employees to harvest the apples. In an attempt to attract as many customers as possible, many apple orchards also offer things like recipes, hayrides, and corn mazes. Picking apples at an apple orchard is an autumn event your entire family will enjoy,

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Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

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Step 1

Ask the orchard owner/manager which trees flowered first in the spring. The owner will also be able to advise you on what makes each variety of apple unique.
Step 2

Only pick apples that are completely ripe. You will know that red apples are completely ripe when the area of the apple near the stem (this area doesn't turn red) is green. It the area is yellow the apple is not ripe. Green apples are ripe when no yellow is visible on the skin. Red and Green Delicious and Granny Smiths are the first apples to ripen.
Step 3

Select apples that are not bruised. Apples that are bruised will rot quickly.
Step 4

Pick the apples on the tree's outer branches. Apples on the outer edges of the tree ripen more quickly than those on the inner branch.
Step 5

Don't jerk the apple from the tree branch. When picking apples you should roll the apple towards the tree branch, and then twist the apple until the stem breaks free.
Step 6

Gently place each apple into your basket. Tossing your apples into the basket may cause the apple to bruise.
Step 7

Don't wash your apples until you are ready to eat them. Apples that are cleaned before they are stored spoil more quickly than those that are unwashed.
Step 8

Store your apples in a cool dark area with a lot of moisture in the air.