MDFA - MassGrown - Produce Tips


MassGrown main page Produce Tips Apples Asparagus Beets Blueberries Carrots Cauliflower Cranberries Cucumbers Greens Peppers Spinach Strawberries Sweet Corn Tomatoes	Produce Tips Apples Apples are universally popular and hold a unique place in American history. When the first colonists migrated to North America, they brought apple seeds with them. The first recorded planting was in 1629 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed," was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, and had much to do with the popularity of the apple in America. Traveling from New England with bags of apple seeds gathered from cider press refuse, an axe and a short handled hoe, he planted orchards throughout the Ohio River Valley and wherever he found an appealing site. Types The many varieties of apples differ widely in appearance, flesh, characteristics, seasonal availability and suitability for different uses. For good eating as fresh fruit: McIntosh, Macoun, Red & Golden Delicious, Cortland. Selection Select firm, well-shaped apples with good color. Avoid blemishes and soft spots. Storage Small quantities should be refrigerator-stored in a plastic bag that has a few perforated holes. These holes allow air into the bag so the apples can breathe. Store large quantities in a cool dark airy place.	On this page: Types Selection Storage Related links Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards New England Apple Assoc. Mass. Fruit Growers Assoc.

Apples