Top Job – Harvesting and storing apples and pears

Don’t be tempted to pick everything at once. Apples are generally ready when they come away easily with a gentle twist and lift. However, pears are different. They are usually picked whilst still firm and allowed to ripen indoors.

When harvesting apples and pears, try to handle the fruit gently and avoid dropping or bruising it. Damaged fruit won’t store well. In fact, one bruised or diseased apple can soon affect the rest.

Therefore, separate any bruised or marked apples and pears from the unblemished fruit. These can be processed straight away in a number of ways, including stewing and freezing. They can then be used later in pies, crumbles, chutneys and sauces.

Sliced fruit can also be dehydrated in a dehydrator or at a very low heat in the oven. Save it for eating throughout the year as healthy dried apple or pear ring snacks.

Some of the best-looking fruit always seems to be right at the very top of the tree!

Rather than stretching, climbing or balancing precariously on a ladder, a long-arm fruit harvester can make the job easier and safer. These handy tools have a long pole with a picking head on the end. This allows you to reach higher branches from the ground.

Choose one with a small collection bag attached so the fruit can be caught rather than tumbling to the ground. This reduces the risk of bruising or splitting. Simply position the picking head around the fruit and gently twist or pull to release it. Take your time and work your way around the tree. Pick the fruit that is ready and leave any that needs a little longer.

It’s also worth remembering that fruit at the top and outside of the tree may ripen at a different rate. Fruit growing in the centre may take a little longer.

If you have more fruit than you can eat straight away, September is the perfect time to think about storage. Choose only firm, undamaged apples and pears for keeping and handle them carefully as you sort them.

Store them somewhere cool, dry, dark and frost-free, with good airflow. A garage, shed or cool cupboard can work well, provided temperatures don’t become too extreme.

Ideally, wrap individual fruits in paper or place them in a single layer so they aren’t touching. This helps prevent rot spreading from one fruit to another.

Check your stored fruit regularly and remove any that are beginning to deteriorate. It’s amazing how quickly one bad apple can affect the rest! And, of course, not everything needs to be stored. September’s harvest is a great excuse to enjoy plenty of fresh fruit. Make a batch of apple crumble or spiced pear chutney, or share some with friends and family.

So grab your basket, your long-arm harvester and a sunny afternoon, and make the most of that wonderful autumn harvest. There’s nothing quite like enjoying fruit from your own garden as the seasons begin to change.

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