U-Pick Apples
UpDated August 26, 2010
Our U-Pick season has begun.
Exact dates could vary up to a week. This schedule is based on last year's crop.
We welcome families to "U-Pick." Bring your children, camera, and a blanket. Our trees are dwarf, and almost all of the apples are easy to reach.
Last week in July - Our first apple of the season is a large red dessert apple called WILLIAM'S PRIDE. It is very tasty and makes a red applesauce that is out of this world if you cook them with the peeling. They are also good for frying, pies, salads and fresh eating. These apples should be refrigerated for long-term keeping (one to two months) and are available for about a 3- to 4-week period.
Mid August - Early September - GALAS. - THERE IS NOT A GALA CROP THIS YEAR. This is usually our first apple of the season which is a large red dessert apple. Unfortunately, these apples have the Cedar Apple Rust disease, which means they are scabby looking and not fit to sell and many of them have stopped growing. I will need to use a special spray on them next year so this doesn't happen again. The disease is caused by the Cedar Tree which grows a large reddish ball on its branches. The ball explodes and spores are released in the air and are attracted to apple trees.
The Gala apple is a long-term keeper and has surpassed the red delicious that once held the number one spot for so many years. Galas are crisp, sweet, and juicy, and are an excellent all-purpose apple. Available for 4-6 weeks. If you intend to use this apple during the winter months, it is best to pick them in mid August as I find they keep better than those picked in early September.
Late August to Mid-September - JONAMAC and EMPIRE apples are both slightly tart. They are similar to the Jonathan and can be used for fresh eating or for baking. THERE IS NOT A JONAMAC OR EMPIRE CROP THIS YEAR.
The ULTRA EARLI - our early Fuji type apple, sweet, juicy, slightly spicy, and crisp. THERE IS NOT A ULTRA EARLI CROP THIS YEAR.
SUPERIOR RED DELICIOUS- a large, sweet and juicy apple. Excellent for fresh eating, salads, and even makes very good pies. I like to use these apples for dehydrated apple slices as they are so big. The Superior Red Delicious is NOT like the Washington Red Delicious that is shipped to the Midwest. NOT AVAILABLE THIS YEAR AS THEY HAVE THE CEDAR APPLE RUST DISEASE. SECONDS ARE AVAILABLE ON A LIMITED BASIS.
ULTRA GOLD - apples that are similar to the Golden Delicious, but keep much better. They are crisp, juicy and sweet. These trees were overloaded last year and this year's crop will be small. NOT AVAILABLE THIS YEAR AS THEY HAVE THE CEDAR APPLE RUST DISEASE.
The ENTERPRISE - this apple is a 6-month keeper (in the refrigerator, not the basement or the garage). It is crisp and tart. The tartness later sweetens in storage. DISEASE FREE. These apples should be available in Mid September, but Please call first as it may be the only apple available at that time. THEY MAY BE READY LABOR DAY, BUT PLEASE CHECK FIRST BEFORE COMING OUT.
ROME - an excellent baking and sauce apple. Recommended for pies and apple butter. It is an excellent eating apple when very fresh. The Rome will mellow in storage. NOT AVAILABLE THIS YEAR AS THEY HAVE THE CEDAR APPLE RUST DISEASE.
Mid September to early October - You can tell an old-fashioned YORK by its lopsided appearance. A slightly tart, crisp apple that is excellent for pies, sauces and just fresh eating. The flesh of the York is yellow. Many "Old Timers" say this apple isn't ready to eat until after Thanksgiving. They like to pick them early and let them mellow. This apple keeps fairly well. This apple makes a fantastic pie.
Late September to early October - The FUJI apple is an excellent winter keeper. It is crisp, spicy, and juicy. It has some disease, but most of them look pretty good right now.
GRANNY SMITH - is an excellent keeping apple and is the last apple of season. It is very firm, tart, and crisp. It makes wonderful pies. The Granny Smith will mellow in long-term storage. It is a must for those that like a good, tart apple. They can be stored for 8 to 9 months at 32° Fahrenheit with little change in quality. A VERY LIMITED AMOUNT IS AVAILABLE THIS YEAR.
JONALICIOUS and JONATHANS - For simple, long-term storage, we suggest that the apples be refrigerated in clear plastic bags. This way, one can easily see and remove apples that develop decay spots. Stored at 38° to 40°Fahrenheit, Galas, Granny Smith and Fuji apples should keep through February. Enterprise can definitely be refrigerated up to six months.