In your garden - September & October
Each month a few items to do or to watch out for will be included here.
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Picking Fruit
September and October are the main fruit picking months. However if you have cherries and plums you may have been enjoying your fruit since late June.
There are some Plums that ripen through September. One's that we grow that are picked now include Marjories Seedling, Warwickshire Drooper, Gage Coe's Golden Drop and the Damsons.
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Apples
The earliest ripen early August but most are best from September onwards. Different varieties ripen at different times.
- If when raised in the palm of the hand and slightly twisted it comes away easily the apple is ready for picking. Pick when dry.
- Always pick apples with their stalks. If the stalk is removed a hole is left for decay to occur.
- It is a good idea to pick over a tree a few times as the apples will ripen at different times.
- Allow to ripen fully soaking the maximum sun. When undamaged apples are found on the ground it is a sure sign that the time is ripe for harvesting the remaining apples on the tree.
- Bearing in mind the above points apple picking can be done according to your preference. If you prefer a sharp taste pick early. For more sweetness leave on the tree longer.
- Some apples are dual purpose. Pick early for sharpness & cooking, allow to ripen for eating. James Grieve is an example - pick early from mid/late August for culinary use, into mid September as a dessert.
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There is nothing like an apple eaten straight from the tree. However one of the great qualities of many apple varieties is that they will store for a long time. The earliest apples picked in August will not keep long so use quickly. Later picked apples will keep longer - see the apple catalogue for details, some well into the New Year in the right conditions.
- apples should be stored in a ventilated draught-free place such as an outbuilding, cellar or garden shed, out of bright light.
- keep cool, preferably at under 7°c and the temperature should not fluctuate too much.
- Store apples in shallow trays, standing them, not quite touching, on newspaper and putting rolls of paper between the rows. Trays can be stacked. Label with the name of the variety and season for eating.
- Also apples can be individually wrapped in paper.
- examine fruits frequently in case any are rotting.
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Pears
Pears ripen at much the same time as apples. However they require a little more attention if you are to really enjoy them!
Do not allow pears to ripen on the tree. If you do then
· The centre around the core becomes brown, pasty
· The flesh becomes gritty
So pick early and ripen off the tree. Pick when
· When pressed the pear is slightly springy
· The skin colour is just turning from green to greenish yellow
· The seeds inside are turning brown
· When the pears can be removed with a slight twist
Store them inside in a cool temperature such as an outbuilding or a spare room and enjoy as they become soft enough.
May you now enjoy your fruit!
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