In order to obtain the highest quality fruit, apples, apricots, peaches, pears, and plums must be harvested at the proper stage of maturity. Once harvested, proper storage is necessary to maximize storage life. Keep in mind that weather conditions during the growing season may hasten or delay fruit maturity.
Apples | Pears | Tart Cherries | Peaches | Apricots | Plums | More Information
Apples
The harvest period for apples varies from one cultivar to another. For example, ‘Jonathan’ apples are normally harvested in mid to late September. The harvest season for ‘Red Delicious’ apples is normally late September to early October. However, the harvest period for apple cultivars is strongly influenced by weather conditions during the growing season. Gardeners, therefore, should base the harvest time on the maturity of the apples rather than a specific calendar date.
There are several indicators of apple maturity. Mature apples are firm, crisp, juicy, well colored, and have developed the characteristic flavor of the cultivar. Red color alone is not a reliable indicator of maturity. ‘Red Delicious’ apples, for example, often turn red before the fruit are mature. Fruit harvested too early are astringent, sour, starchy, and poorly flavored. Apples harvested too late are soft and mushy.
When harvesting apples, pick and handle the fruit carefully to prevent unnecessary damage. Sort through the apples during harvest. Remove and promptly use bruised or cut apples. Also, remove apples which exhibit insect and disease problems. Separate the apples by size. Use the largest apples first as they don’t store as well as smaller fruit.
Once harvested and sorted, store the undamaged apples immediately. The temperature and relative humidity during storage are critical for maximum storage life. Proper storage conditions for apples are a temperature near 32°F and a relative humidity between 90 and 95%. Apple cultivars, such as ‘Red Delicious,’ stored under optimum conditions may be stored up to 3 to 5 months.
Learn more in this article: How to Harvest and Store Apples.
Pears
European Pears
Most pears grown in Iowa are European pear cultivars such as ‘Summercrisp,’ ‘Moonglow,’ ‘Barlett,’ and ‘Kieffer.’ European pears should not be allowed to ripen on the tree. If fruit are left on the tree to ripen, the fruit develops a gritty texture and poor flavor.
Harvest European pears when the fruit changes from deep green to yellow-green, and small spots (lenticels) turn from white to brown. The fruit will still be firm, not soft, at harvest.
For immediate consumption, ripen European pears at room temperature. The ripening process should take 7 to 10 days. To speed up ripening, place the pears in a tightly sealed paper bag.
For long-term storage, refrigerate unripe pears at a temperature of 32 to 35°F. European pears may be stored for 1 to 3 months. Remove stored fruit about one week prior to use.
Asian Pears
Asian pears (sometimes referred to as apple pears because of their round shape and crisp, firm texture) include cultivars like ‘Chojuro,’ ‘Hosui,’ and ‘Shinseiki.’
Asian pears, unlike European pears, should be allowed to ripen on the tree. When ripe the skin color of most Asian pears changes from green to yellow. Check ripeness by taste testing. Ripe fruit should be crisp, crunchy, and sweet.
Asian pears can stored for 1 to 3 months at a temperature of 32 to 35°F. However, Asian pears sometimes develop a strong, winy taste if stored for long periods.
Learn more in this article: How to Harvest, Ripen, and Store Pears.
Tart Cherries
Tart, sour or pie cherries should be harvested when the fruit are full-flavored, somewhat soft, and juicy. (Cherries picked before they are mature will not ripen off the tree) Harvest sweet cherries when the fruit have attained the proper size, are uniformly colored, and possess their characteristic flavor.
For immediate use, the cherries can be picked without the stems attached to the fruit. However, quality is best retained during storage if the fruit are harvested with the stems attached.
Store cherries immediately after harvest. Place cherries (with stems attached) in perforated plastic bags and store in the refrigerator at a temperature 32 to 35°F.
Peaches
Harvest peaches when the base or ground color changes from green to cream or light yellow. (Most peach cultivars develop a reddish blush. However, the reddish coloration is not a good indicator of maturity.) Firmness is another sign of maturity. Ripe fruit are slightly less firm. Firmness can be determined by gently squeezing a fruit with your fingers. If a fruit gives slightly, it is ready to harvest.
When harvesting, handle the fruit carefully to prevent bruising. Store peaches immediately at a temperature of 32°F and a relative humidity of 90 to 95%. Peaches can be successfully stored for 2 to 3 weeks.
Apricots
Harvest apricots when the fruit develop their characteristic color and begin to soften. When ripe, the fruit of ‘Moongold’ are golden yellow. The ripe fruit of ‘Sungold’ and ‘Moorpark’ are yellow with an orangish red blush.
Handle the fruit carefully to prevent bruising. Ideal storage conditions for apricots are a temperature near 32°F and a relative humidity of 90 to 95%. Properly stored fruit have a storage life of 1 to 2 weeks.
Plums
As plums approach maturity, the fruit develop their characteristic color. The fruit of European or domestic cultivars (‘Stanley,’ ‘Damson,’ and ‘Mount Royal’) change from green to greenish blue, then to dark blue or purple. The ripened fruit color of most hybrid plums (‘Underwood,’ ‘Alderman,’ ‘Toka,’ and ‘Superior’) varies from red to burgundy red. Color, however, should not be the sole basis for harvesting plums. As they ripen, plums begin to soften, especially at the tip end. They also develop their characteristic flavor.
Harvest and handle plums carefully. The fruit can be stored for approximately 2 to 3 weeks at a temperature of 32°F and a relative humidity of 90 to 95%.
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