If you grow autumn or winter varieties of apples in your garden, it is important to know how to properly prepare them for long-term storage. This will keep the fruits in good condition for a long time. In this article, we will look at the main recommendations for storing apples, which will help you extend their shelf life as much as possible.

Before starting to pick apples, it is important to stop using nitrogen fertilizers in the middle of summer. These fertilizers can lead to the accumulation of nitrates in the fruits, which will negatively affect their ability to be stored for a long time. Therefore, it is better to switch to other types of feeding that will not harm the quality of apples.

The next step is to determine the moment of collection. Apples should be picked when they are fully ripe and have a characteristic color for their variety on at least half of the surface. This indicates that the fruits are ready for collection. Pick the apples carefully so as not to damage them.

After picking, it is very important to carefully sort the apples. Separate damaged or diseased fruits, as they can spoil quickly and affect the preservation of other apples during storage. High-quality apples will last much longer if they are sorted correctly.

Before starting storage, prepare the room where you plan to store apples. To do this, whiten the walls with a solution of slaked lime (1.5 kg per 10 liters of water) and treat the floor with a 5% solution of iron sulfate. Don't forget to clean the containers as well: treat the baskets and boxes with a solution of soda ash for disinfection.

When placing apples in boxes or baskets, it is recommended to lay a layer of sawdust, shavings, leaves or paper between the rows. This will help prevent direct contact between fruits, reducing the risk of damage during storage.

Optimal conditions for storing apples are temperature from 0°C to +2°C and humidity 80-90%. If you decide to store apples in plastic bags, keep the temperature between 0°C and -3°C and the humidity at 90-95%.

By following these simple recommendations, you will be able to keep your apple harvest in excellent condition and enjoy their taste for a long time.