Granny Smith Apple Harvest Time

Granny Smith apples are harvested in late April and early May and are available until December.

How do I know when my Granny Smith apples are ready to pick?

You'll know Granny Smith apples are ripe if they have a pink or yellow blush and are roughly the size of your fist. If the apples just aren't coming off the tree, they're probably not ripe. You shouldn't have to jerk a ripe apple off the tree with all your might.

How long does it take for Granny Smith apples to ripen?

Granny Smith is usually ripe at 165 – 180 days after full bloom. Ripe apples fall easily from the tree; not much twisting is needed. When you slice into a ripe apple the seeds will be brown.

When should green apples be picked?

Check how easy it is to pick the apple; give it an upwards twist and if it separates easily it is ready. You will never have to cut a ripe apple from the tree. Check the seed color; the seeds in an apple will general turn brown then the apple is ripe.

Why do Granny Smith apples last so long?

“To slow the proverbial sands of time, some fruit distributors treat their apple bins with a gaseous compound, 1-methylcyclopropene,” the USDA states. “It extends the fruits' post-storage quality by blocking ethylene, a colorless gas that naturally regulates ripening and aging.”

What happens if you pick apples too early?

They will only become softer but not sweeter or tastier. In other words, picking apples while they are still underripe will not allow you to keep them for longer or ripen them over time. Their flesh will soften, but they will still taste tart.

Why are my apples falling off the tree early?

Often, a period of stress (a long, hot summer with very little rain) will cause a tree to abort its fruit in order to conserve energy. Apple trees require deep watering during drought. Lack of pollination can result in pea-size fruit that falls off prematurely.

Do apples ripen more after picking?

Apples are a “climacteric” fruit, meaning that they continue to ripen somewhat after picking. If you have to pick early, try storing the fruit for a while to see if they become sweeter before use.

Do Granny Smith apple trees need full sun?

Granny Smith apple trees are easy to grow as long as you follow certain tips. Plant the tree where it can enjoy full sun for at least six hours a day, and provide enough water.

Do you need 2 Granny Smith apple trees to produce fruit?

The Granny Smith is self-fertile so you only need one tree to enjoy plenty of fruit for your family. However, to ensure that the highest quality and quantities of fruit are produced pair your Granny Smith with Gala, Golden or Red Delicious, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or a Profusion Crabapple tree.

How many apples does a Granny Smith tree produce?

Standard-size trees will bear in 5 to 8 years, yielding 4 to 5 bushels of apples per year.

Do green apples eventually turn red?

As they mature, they change from green to light green; then to red or yellow. However, some highly colored apples change to red weeks before they are mature, so color is not always a reliable indicator.

What is the best time of day to pick apples?

Nighttime harvest can provide fruit that retains significantly better internal and external quality: sugars, acids, flavor compounds, color, firmness, etc. Even the mechanical act of separating fruit from stem or pruning can be easier at night, when the crop plant and its parts are less stressed.

Why should you not put apples in the fridge?

Apples, Pears: You can refrigerate these fruits, but you don't need to. The cold air inside the refrigerator tends to break down their crisp texture. Leave them out on the counter. But if you prefer your fruit cold, go ahead and refrigerate.

Can you freeze Granny apples?

Yes, you most certainly can! If you find yourself with a large surplus of apples, freezing them might a good option for you. Having a stash of frozen apples makes it extra easy to throw them into baked goods or smoothies.

What is special about Granny Smith apples?

Granny Smith apples are popular for their tart flavor and firm texture. Granny Smith apples are popular for their tart flavor and firm texture. With its sublimely tart flavor and unmistakable green hue, the Granny Smith apple (Malus domestica) is one of the most recognizable and beloved apples in the orchard.

What apples are ready to pick in October?

Fall Apples (good storage apples) —

• Gala. In season: mid-August to late October.
• Honeycrisp. In season: mid-August to late September. ...
• Empire. In season: late August to mid-October. ...
• Jonathan. In season: early September to mid-November. ...
• Cortland. In season: early September to mid-November. ...
• Red Delicious. ...
• Jonagold:

How many apples should you leave on a branch?

Apples and pears You should end up with only one fruit for about every 6 inches of branch. If your tree is healthy and vigorous, it will have more than one spur every 6 inches along a branch. Thus, you will need to leave some spurs with no fruit on them. This helps to balance your crop for next year.

Can you leave fallen apples on the ground?

Even if you don't want all the apples, don't leave any on the tree over winter or any windfalls to rot on the ground. Rotting apples may result in canker or brown rot (Monilinia fruitigena) – a widespread fungal disease. It finds its way into damaged fruits, typically those pecked at by birds.

Do apple trees need a lot of water?

Young apple trees need lots of water. They need to be watered frequently and deeply. In our orchard park, we water our newly planted trees up to three times a week, with three large buckets of water each time. That's about 15 gallons of water.