As August draws to a close, we’re halfway through our Bartlett pear harvest and gearing up for the apple season. Apple harvest typically begins in August, starting with Galas, and extends well into November as different varieties reach their ideal picking times. Determining the perfect harvest date for each apple variety involves analyzing several factors over the growing season.
For red apple varieties, color is a crucial indicator of readiness. Cool summer nights paired with bright sunny days enhance color development, signaling important internal changes in the fruit.
During this period, horticulturists like Dave play a vital role in assessing the fruit’s conditions. By examining factors such as starch conversion to sugar and fruit pressure, we determine whether the apples are ready to head straight to the packing houses or are better suited for storage in our controlled atmosphere rooms.
