storing apples

[Andy Hamilton]

Off scrumping tomorrow, probally a week or two too soon down here but worth a go. Any tips other than making loads of cider to store them?

[Shirley]

I once read that dried nettle leaves worked well as a storage medium... it was a good few years ago and I've no idea where I read it..

[Andy Hamilton]

interesting, I am wondering if sand is a good idea.

mind you only found 4 that I could reach at the weekend so don't have to worry about it yet

[funkypixie]

Well I'm no expert (like you thought I was!! - yeah right) but my gran used to store the apples from her trees loosely wrapped in newspaper. I seem to remember that you need to keep each layer seperate from the next (levitation?) to allow air circulation and minimise the risk of rot too. Ideally, the room should be cool and dark.

I used to love the apples that had been stored for a long time. The skins were always yellow and slightly wrinkled but time had allowed the sugars to develop so they were always yum (....dreams of my apple trees being big enough to produce enough apples to store...).

Anna x

[Millymollymandy]

From what I've read up on apples, the ones that are ripe at this time of the year (summer apples) don't store well. It is the ones that ripen in September/October that are good for storing.

Also don't store windfalls as even if they look blemish free, they still have a bruise which will start to rot.

Also picking them slightly underipe is best if they are going to be stored.