July todo: Pick early apples

Anna apple in the Mojave Desert

Pick apples. There are two pretty good apples for our desert climate that ripen right about now; Anna and Dorsett Golden. One other that deserve honorable mention is Einshemer. Generally speaking though most people don't want apples in midsummer thinking of them as more of a fall fruit. Secondly, apples seem to be better quality when they mature in cooler weather.

          When you are picking apples or any fruit for that matter, pick in the early morning hours or evening hours. Most apples do not continue to ripen once they have been removed from the tree. If apples are left outside for any length of time after they have been picked, make sure you put them in the shade and do not leave them in direct sunlight. Try to get them refrigerated and in high humidity as soon as you can.