Can we use these apples now?

beckstrous

Hi all

We have a Bramley apple tree laden with apples. It looks quite healthy, but apples have been falling off since the middle of June! I read about the "June drop", but it appears to be happening still. I know you don't harvest apples til September but what if they're falling off cos they are ready? How would we know? Could we use some of them now?

Thanks if anyone can help!

absfabs

We've had the first apples falling, too. (not bramley, but a tart eating variety that also cooks well)

From past exerience, they are too tart to eat now, but have been okay if stewed/baked with sugar or sweeteners.

As your bramleys are cookers anyway, I would try this, just be extra generous with the sugar.

My fallen apples usually have a little hole where a little critter exited, and I think that's why they fall early. Still good for cooking (and in another months for eating), I just got in the habit of always cutting our own unsprayed apples into quarters or wedged, NOT BITING INTO THEM.

**** what's worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm in it?






finding half a worm in it! :eek::eek::eek:*****

unhappy_shopper

My Bramley apple tree is also dropping apples which have some sort of defect in them. I guess it is Nature's way of 'survival of the fittest'. I have been busy making apple pies and chutneys, though heaven only knows what I'll do with the loads on the tree, when they are ready for picking. My neighbours have been oohing and aahing about the nice apple tree, so they will get their fair share shortly.

beckstrous

Thanks everyone. That is great. I want to have a go at some chutneys and pies...I think we will be giving some away as well as we picked up a whole sack of them yesterday and there are still loads on the tree!

RAS

Hi

Chutney and sauces nearly always require apple, so either make them now with your windfalls, or cut the apples up and remove and buggy bits and freeze, then make the preserves later in the year when you have time.

scotsaver

My Bramley apple tree also sheds some early which I usually put in the Compost bin as they are so small and tart but at this time of year I usually use them in pies/puddings. Had a massive one which fell off on Sunday and as I don't like to waste anything I picked some Blackberries and made a crumble.;) Will be using September apples to make my Mincemeat and Xmas puds.:D