The are several ways to grow both apples and pears in your garden, so bear these tips in mind to help you along the way.
- The earliest apples mature from late July and do not keep, so they should be eaten within a week or so of picking, before the flesh becomes soft and mealy. Some mid-season varieties, which mature in late August and the first half of September, are ripe enough to eat fresh, but others need storing first for a few weeks and will remain in good condition for another month or more.
- The first pears are ready to pick during August, but need a few weeks to finish ripening in store, as do all later varieties. Like apples, their harvesting time is indicated by a change of color and readiness to part easily from the tree, rather than on their readiness for eating.
- Both apples and pears ripen over a long period, so test them before you pick them by lifting one or two fruits to see if they come away without twisting or tearing; windfalls lying on the ground can be a good indication of ripeness. You might have to spread the harvest over several days, because fruits in the sun or on the outside of the tree often ripen first.
- Store only sound fruits and reject any with holes, insect damage, torn stalks or bruises. Handle them carefully and spread them on slatted shelves or in single layers in boxes and make sure they do not touch each other. High-quality apples can be individually wrapped in newspapers. Or, you can pack about 4 to 4-1/2 pounds (2 kg) in a clear polythene bag with the bottom corners cut off for ventilation.
- Store all fruit in a cool, but frost-free place with good air circulation. Check fruit every 10 days or so and remove any that are showing signs of rot.
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Apples should be eaten within a week after they’re picked, before they lose their texture.
