A novice needing basic info on fruit trees please...

DumbBlonde

Hi there,

In my garden I have a plum tree and an apple tree, when I moved in last year the fruit all went to the ground and nature and the wildlife took it... This year I'd like to pick the fruit and use it in chutney and jam etc...

Now the chutney and jam I am great at making and usually make home made stuff for winter/ Christmas gifts and it all goes down well... Now I have my own trees yay!

But when do I pick the fruit, how do I know it's ready to be picked? Are there things I should be looking out for??? I haven't a clue!

I know the trees are just starting to get tiny fruits on them and will be ready in a few months I guess in autum???

Can anyone give me basic knowledge of fruit picking?

Thank you in advance

Xxx

oldtractor

Plums pick when they are a bit squashy. Apples , cup an apple in the palm lift and twist if it comes away its ready if not its still under ripe. Start checking apples in Sept. Some arnt ready til Oct. Check plums Aug and Sept.

DumbBlonde

Excellent, thank you soooo much! That all makes perfect sense!

Xx

forgotmyname

My apples are dropping from the tree daily but they are only about 2 inches across.

Slightest breeze or touch. Strange.

Farway

forgotmyname wrote: »

My apples are dropping from the tree daily but they are only about 2 inches across.

Slightest breeze or touch. Strange.

It is the June drop, delayed because of our rotten weather lately

Linda32

DumbBlonde wrote: »

But when do I pick the fruit, how do I know it's ready to be picked? Are there things I should be looking out for??? I haven't a clue!

I know the trees are just starting to get tiny fruits on them and will be ready in a few months I guess in autum???

Yes, you've pretty much answered your own question there :T;)

Leif

Linda32 wrote: »

Yes, you've pretty much answered your own question there :T;)

There is a slight difference between knowing to pick in Autumn, rather than Summer or Spring, and knowing the week when they are ripe. I must admit I'd never thought about this, and the OP asks a sensible question.