Many types of fruit and vegetables are ready to be harvested in autumn. Depending on the variety, apples are also usually harvested in autumn, but certain care measures must also be carried out at the same time in order to ensure next year's harvest.
The right harvest of apples
In autumn, lots of apples fresh from the tree are a real delicacy. Ideally, these are picked by hand from the ladder and gently twisted off the branch with the handle so that no branches break off. In addition, apples, with the exception of cider apples, are not shaken from the tree, otherwise bruises will occur if they fall, which will considerably shorten the shelf life of the apples. With a rich harvest, it is not only a good idea to store apples for the winter and spring, but also to process them into delicious apple juice. Wine presses often do this for a relatively low fee, but it can also be worth buying your own juicer for larger quantities.
Lay the foundation for next year in autumn
Not only the harvest should determine the work in the garden in autumn. Also check the results of spring main pruning and summer pruning at this time of year. If twigs or branches are broken under the weight of large apples, they can now be removed before winter. The apple tree is one of the fruit tree species that can be pruned at different times of the year:
- in January to March
- in June and July, including removal of excess apples
- for correction in autumn
In autumn, a so-called rejuvenation pruning can also be carried out, in which an old apple tree has its crown thinned out so that it can sprout with new vitality.
tips and tricks
In autumn, after the harvest, a lot of leaves fall off the branches of the apple tree. This should not simply remain on the ground under the treetop, especially in shady locations. It could otherwise have a promoting effect on a possible fungal attack. It is better to let the leaves compost on a compost heap a little further away and to lime the apple tree around the trunk.