When Is Apple Picking Season? Here’s What to Know

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One popular fall activity is apple picking, which is a fun and satisfying way to enjoy fresh fruit. When apples ripen varies from late August to November, with September being the best month. 

There are tips on how to pick apples, when is apple picking season is, and answers to common apple questions in this guide. Take advantage of apple season by baking or snacking with these tips.

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When is Apple Picking Season?

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So, when is apple picking season? People usually start picking apples in late August and keep doing it until early November. It depends on the type of apple and the weather when scheduling. Although September is the best month for many types of apples, it's still important to know when to pick each one. 

Learning about the apple-picking season will help you make sure you go to the orchards at the right time to get fresh, ripe apples.

When is the best time for apple picking?

• Early September: Usually, you can pick Honeycrisp and Gala apples.

• Mid-September: Empire and Jonathan apples, which are mid-season apple varieties, start to ripen.

• Late September: Plenty of places have orchards where Red Delicious and other classic apple varieties are ripening.

• Early October: When Granny Smith and Fuji apples start to ripen, they add a slightly sour flavor to your favorite apple pies and condiments.

• Mid-October: Cripps Pink and Northern Spy apples are at their peak. This is an excellent time for making apple cider or enjoying them fresh.

• Late October: Golden Delicious apples are typically harvested. Perfect for baking and snacking, they have a mild, sweet taste.

• Early November: As the last of the Fuji and Pink Lady apples are picked, some late-season varieties may still be available.

How do apple trees affect the season?

• Apple Trees: An apple's ripening date depends a lot on its growing season and the weather. For example, a warm spring can make the growing season go faster, while a cooler fall may make the harvest later.

• Orchard Map: A map is usually available at most apple orchards that shows when different kinds of apples are in season. Depending on the time of year, these maps help people choose which apples to pick.

What Apple is in Season Right Now?

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If you know what kinds of apples are in season right now, you can pick the best ones. Different kinds of apples have different qualities depending on the month. Some apples taste great when eaten right out of the bag, while others are great for cooking and baking. Also, there will be apples at different stages of ripeness, from early-season picks to late-season fruit.

Apple varieties available in early autumn:

• Early September: Apples like Gala and Honeycrisp are ripe and ready to be picked. With their sweet and sour taste, these kinds are great for snacking or mixing into salads.

• Mid-September: People like apples like McIntosh and Jonathan. Jonathan apples are great for baking, while McIntosh apples are juicy and a little sour.

• Late September: You can find Red Delicious apples with a deep red skin and a mild flavor near the end of the month. They are great to eat right away.

Apple varieties available in October

• Early October: With their sour taste and firm texture, Granny Smith apples are great for making pies and sauces.

• Mid-October: Cripps Pink and Northern Spy apples are ideal for baking and eating fresh; Northern Spy, in particular, is prized for pies because they are a good mix of sweet and sour.

• Late October: At their best, Golden Delicious apples with a sweet taste and smooth yellow skin are at their best. They are often baked with, made into applesauce, or eaten right off the tree.

• Early November: You can still find Pink Lady and other late-season apples in some orchards.

What to Avoid When Picking Apples?

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Although picking apples can be fun, there are some things you should not do to make sure you get the best apples. If you follow apple-picking rules, you'll show respect for the orchard and get the freshest, ripest apples.

Signs of ripe apples:

• Ripe Apples: You can tell an apple is ripe by its yellow background, a light blush, or a red blush. If an apple is firm and comes off the tree with a little twist, it's ready to be picked.

• Green Skin: Do not pick apples that have green skin because they are probably not ripe enough and may not have fully developed their flavor yet.

• Firm Apple: Make sure the apple feels firm when you touch it. Apples that are too soft could be overripe or broken.

What to avoid when picking apples:

• Pick Your Own Apples: Don’t pick apples from the ground. If an apple falls, the skin may be damaged or the apple may have gone bad.

• Tugging or Shaking Branches: You should never pull on apple trees or shake them, because it can hurt the tree and its fruit. When you pick, be gentle.

• Over-picking: Do not pick too many apples. Don't pick more apples than you can eat or cook with. Wasting apples is bad for the orchard and wasteful for the environment.

Which Apple is the Sweetest?

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When apple-picking season comes around, sweet tart apples are some of the most popular. Each type of apple has its own flavor. If you want apples that taste sweet, some types stand out as the best. You can eat these apples right off the tree, make apple cider, or add them to your favorite recipes.

Sweetest Apple Varieties:

• Honey Crisp: These apples are known for being sweet and crisp. You can eat them straight up or add them to salads.

• Fuji Apples: These apples are very sweet, juicy, and just a little sour. They taste great when baked or eaten as a snack.

• Ben Davis: This is a medium-sized apple that tastes sweet and is great for cooking or making pies.

• Golden Delicious: These apples are sweet and soft, and you can eat them fresh or make applesauce with them.

Best Time to Pick Sweet Apples:

• Late September: Fuji apples are at their sweetest when they start to ripen.

• Early October: The taste of Honey Crisp apples is at its best.

• Mid-October: When Golden Delicious and Ben Davis apples get ripe, they're ready to be picked.

What is FullyHealthy? How Does It Relate to Healthy Apple Picks?

FullyHealthy is a great site for people with special diets who want to find healthy food options, like apples that are allowed on those diets. There are many allergen-free, gluten-free, and AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) products in this online store, which makes it easier to find snacks and meals that fit with a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy Apple Options at FullyHealthy

• Apple Cider: You can pick from organic apple cider made from just-picked apples. This is a great way to enjoy a healthy treat this time of year.

• Pick Your Own Apples: You can pick your own apples at many apple orchards, which have a wide range of sweet and sour apples that are great for cooking or eating as a snack.

• Purpose Apples: There are different kinds of apples at FullyHealthy that are great for different uses, like baking, making cider, or just eating fresh. In stores, you can find varieties like Honey Crisp and Fuji.

FullyHealthy’s Connection to Apple Orchards

• Seasonal Fruit: When apple season starts in late summer or early fall, FullyHealthy gets apples from the best apple farms.

• Fresh Apples: Get organic apples that are ripe for a healthy snack or to bake with. Apples for your next recipe come in a range of styles, such as Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Ben Davis.

Final Thoughts

It's fun for families and friends to get together in the orchard during apple-picking season and enjoy the fresh apples. It is important to know when apple picking season is if you want to get Fuji or Golden Delicious apples that are juicy.

Apples are at their best in September and October. Most apple varieties are not ready before early August, and July apple picking is uncommon and location-specific. It doesn't matter if you want to eat an apple fresh, make apple cider, or bake with it, there's an apple for every taste. Don't forget to check out the orchard near you for a fun and useful activity!

FAQs

When is apple picking season?

Apple picking season begins in late August and extends through early November. The best months are September and October, when many apple varieties, including Fuji apples, are ripe and ready to be picked.

What apple varieties are best for eating fresh?

Fuji apples, Honey Crisp, and Ben Davis are perfect for eating fresh. They offer a sweet tart flavor, with sweet and tart notes. The red skin and yellow flesh make them visually appealing, too.

Can I pick my own apples at the orchard?

Yes, many orchards offer the chance to pick your own apples. Depending on the season, you can choose from many apples, including late-season varieties like Ben Davis typically ripen by mid-to-late October..

What are the sweetest apples to pick?

Apples like Honey Crisp, Fuji, and Golden Delicious have the sweetest flavor. These apples ripen between early September and mid-October, depending on the variety and region.

When are apples ready for picking at the orchard?

Apples are typically ready for picking in early August for late-season varieties like Ben Davis, and late October for sweeter apples like Fuji apples are a late-season variety that reach peak sweetness by late October.