How to Store Apples Over Winter

The harvest is in and you have an abundance of fall apples that need to be stored over winter. Since most homes no longer have a root cellar, it may seem challenging to find a way of keeping the apples fresh long into winter and enjoying the fresh taste even as the snow flies.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden crates Heavy-duty cardboard boxes Newspaper Straw Wood shavings

Instructions

1. Select sturdy wooden crates or heavy-duty cardboard boxes. Wooden crates can often be found at hobby shops or box suppliers. Cardboard boxes can be gathered at your local supermarket. If the boxes are wax-coated fruit boxes, this is even better as the wax will prevent the boxes from leaking juices.

2. Lay a layer of newspaper in the bottom of the box or crate.

3. Put a 1-inch layer of straw or wood shavings in the bottom of the box.

4. Wrap each apple individually in newspaper and lay them in a single layer in the box.

5. Cover the layer of apples with straw or wood shavings and repeat for the next layers until the box is full.

6. Store the apples in a cool, dry place, such as a basement or the corner of a garage.

7. Check the apples every month, discarding any apples that have juice seeping through the newspaper.

Tips & Warnings

• Apples can be kept up to six months depending upon the variety of the apple. Apples that ripen in the fall keep best over the winter months. As apples begin to soften toward the spring, use the apples in pies and tarts or make applesauce.