Apples

The video is from the Michigan Agritourism Association.  But it gives fantastic tips on how to pick your own apples.

We begin our apple harvest early September and have already picked apples available through November.  Pick your own apples usually will begin around Labor Day and last till the end of October.  This does, however, depend on the weather and the size of our apple crop.  Please call or check the website for updates on what we are picking before driving out.

To keep apples tasting their freshest it’s very important to make sure you store them properly. Store apples in a cool, dry place, somewhere between 35 and 40 degrees is ideal. The crisping drawer of a refrigerator works best, but if there’s not enough refrigerator space available, a non heated basement, a garage, a shed, or other sheltered outdoor area is fine. But it is extremely important to not let the apples freeze! This breaks down their cells, and they will become mushy when thawed.

Apples we grow...

Apple Name	Harvest Season	Description
PAULA RED	Early September	Crisp, slightly tart eating and baking apple. Bakes firm. Holds it's slice (similar to a Cortland). Great pies and chunky sauce.
DANDEE RED	Early September	Sweet/tart eating and baking apple. Bright red. McIntosh flavor. Keeps 3 months (very long for its season). Keep refrigerated
ZESTAR	Early September	Light, sweet, crisp and juicy. Keeps well but best eaten quickly. Excellent sweet-tart balance with a brown sugar overtone.
GINGERGOLD	Mid September	Sweet/tart, crisp and juicy eating and baking apple. Many of our Honeycrisp customers say this one taste similar! Staff favorite.
MOLLIES	Mid September	Crisp and sweet! Suggested for eating only. Refrigerate.
MCINTOSH	Mid September	Slightly tart eating and baking apple. One of our most popular apples. Cooks smooth and creamy. Slices fall apart in an apple pie. Store in refrigerator. Keeps into the winter.
CORTLAND	End of September	Sweet with some acid. Crisp, white flesh. Bakes firm, stays in a slice. Great for pies and salads. Stores well if refrigerated.
BLONDEE	End of September	Sweet, snappy wonderful eating. This is a 'better' Gala type apple. You will truly enjoy eating this sweet treat.
FUJI	End of September	Sweetest apple we grow. Crisp and juicy!
GALA	End of September	Sweet eating apple. Firm, crisp flesh. Store in refrigerator. Use in several weeks.
HONEYCRISP	End of September	Crisp, juicy, sweet / tart & tangy! Wonderful eating. Stores extremely well. Slow to brown. Bakes chunky. One of our best apples.
JONASTAR	Early October	A relative to the "Jonagold" apple this apple is sweet with a tang, crisp and juicy! Great for fresh eating or baking.
AMBROSIA	Early October	Sweet, crisp, juicy, low acidity and thin skin. This is a great tasting apple that naturally doesn’t brown quickly after being sliced, making it perfect for snacks or salads. You can cook with it too! They will hold their shape when cooked and make a chunky sauce. Keep refrigerated.
20oz PIPPIN	Early October	Tart and tangy apple with high acid. Our BEST pie apple. Yellow flesh. Bakes firm with some juice. Holds it's slice. Refrigerate. Use in several weeks.
CRIMSON CRISP	Mid October	Crimson Crisp's flavors: cane sugar and distant hints of melon, orange, and spice. Wonderful crisp flesh. It holds a lot of juice and has a very good sweet-tart balance. Our longest storing apple!
GOLDEN DELICIOUS	Mid October	Sweet eating and baking apple. Thin delicate peel. Bakes firm and makes a chunky sauce. Holds it's shape. Excellent pie apple - you can use less sugar! Store inside a PLASTIC BAG in refrigerator.
RUBY RUSH	End of October	Sweet/tart, juicy and aromatic with a desirable crisp texture. Bakes firm. Stores for 5-6 months in the refrigerator.
IDA RED	End of October	Tart eating and baking. One of our best storing apples. Bakes firm and makes a chunky sauce. Marvelous apple pies! Store in refrigerator. Keeps for months!
SNOW SWEET	End of October	Sweet, crisp eating apple. Very white flesh does not brown when cut! Bakes chunky, Stores well.