When checking for maturity of apples, observe your apples as they grow and inspect the fruit for certain changes that indicate maturity. The "ground" or base skin color of the apple changes from green to yellow as the fruit matures. Flesh color also loses its greenish tint and turns yellow or white. When you are convinced that the apples look mature, take a bite! A mature fruit will be crisp and juicy. A pleasing taste is the final indicator of fruit maturity.

Gala and Honeycrisp are ripening in most parts of Ohio during the first week of September.

McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Yellow Delicious, Red Delicious and Empire will soon follow.

This is a perfect time to take your family to a local orchard to pick tree ripe apples. Here is a link to a list of orchards in Ohio: http://www.ohioapples.com/ohio_apple_orchards_alphabetical.php

Check out the website of these orchards or call them to see which apple cultivars are ripening each week.

Many orchards list the ripening dates on their website. Others might have a voicemail message or email alerts.

Shop local to support our fruit growers. This is the best way to ensure a fresh, delicious, nutritious, safe and secure food supply!