**See our Harvest Calendar for dates that each item is expected to harvest and should be available.**

Apple Varieties at Apple Annie’s 

(Scroll down for Peach and Pear varieties)

Pick firm fruit; large apples are fine. Over-ripe, soft apples, will not store or peel well, but can be used immediately for applesauce. Fresh-picked, solid apples can be stored in the refrigerator at 33 degrees for 3-12 weeks or longer, depending on the variety. Early season apples have a shorter life than late season apples. Our apples are multi-purpose varieties, except for Red Delicious, which are better suited for fresh eating or fruit salads.

Akane(an early Jonathan strain) -  Harvest late July to mid-August. The Akane is a very small yet extremely flavorful apple.  Wonderful for fresh eating and applesauce; t oo small for peeling for pies.  Will keep 2-3 weeks refrigerated.

Gala  – Harvest early August to late-August.  Delightful blend of sweet and tart, a Gala is delectable for eating fresh, pies and sauce.  Will keep 4-6 weeks refrigerated. 

McIntosh – Harvest mid-August.  We planted 20 McIntosh trees as an experiment to see how they would grow in Arizona….have never planted more!  The heat causes the apples to drop before they start to color.  Pick them greenish and let them color off the tree for pies. 

Golden Delicious -  Harvest late August through September.   This is a terrific all-purpose apple, great for fresh eating, pies and sauce.  For a sweet and tasty sugar-free applesauce, harvest these in mid-late September when the sugar is at its peak.  Farmer John’s favorite! Will keep 2-4 weeks refrigerated. 

Red Delicious – Harvest late August through September.  The most common apple in the grocery stores, and a staple in lunch boxes! This very sweet, fresh eating apple is also good in fruit salad, but not good for baking.  Will keep 2-3 weeks refrigerated. 

Rome Beauty – Harvest early September to mid-September.  Considered an “antique” apple variety,  this is a good baking apple.  The thick skin helps the apple retain its shape while baking whole.  The skin has a very waxy surface, polish to discover its beauty! Will keep approx. 2 weeks refrigerated.  

 Fuji – Harvest mid-September through October.  Fuji is a cross between a Red Delicious and a Ralls Janet, resulting in a fine late-season apple.  Fuji’s are excellent for eating fresh & salads; Good for pies & sauce.  Will keep several months refrigerated. 

Granny Smith – Harvest mid-September through October.  Granny Smith apples originated in Granny Smith’s back yard in Australia, and are now heavily grown in the US.  It is a very tart apple with a crisp texture, excellent for fresh eating and pies.  Our Granny Smith’s have very high acid and very high sugar, actually more sugar than a Red Delicious!  Apples with sunburn (yellow blush) or a pink blush are extra sweet! Will keep several months refrigerated. 

Pink Lady (we-pick only) – Harvest mid to late October.  Another apple from “Down Under”, Pink Ladies have a tart flavor with a high sugar content and very crisp texture, making them a delicious all-purpose apple. This green apple has a beautiful pink blush.  Annie’s favorite! Will keep several months refrigerated. 

APPLE MATH:

  • Three medium-sized apples weigh approximately one pound.
  • One pound of apples, cored and sliced, measures about 4 1/2 cups.
  • Purchase 2-3 pounds of whole apples for a 9-inch pie.
  • Two pounds of apples yield one-quart of applesauce

Peach Varieties at Apple Annie’s

All of our peaches are freestone varieties, and are great for fresh eating, freezing or canning. Peaches that are dripping juice right off the tree are wonderful, but impossible to transport. Select peaches peaches that have a yellow undertone instead of green. The ridge on the peach should just give when pressed gently with your thumb. Peaches will finish ripening within within one to seven days off of the tree. Spread them out at room temperature, in a single layer, on newspaper. Do not let them touch each other. Check morning and evening and regrigerate or use as they ripen. Do not transport or store your peaches in plastic; the heat and humidity will cause them to mold. Varieties at Apple Annie’s:

  • Sunshine
  • Red Haven
  • New Haven
  • O’Henry
  • Berenda Sun
  • July Sun
  • Ryan Sun
  • Red Sun
  • September Sun
  • Glow Haven
  • Red Globe
  • Sun Crest
  • Crest Haven
  • J.H. Hale
  • Star Fire
  • Blushing Star (white flesh)
  • All Star

Pear Varieties at Apple Annie’s

Asian pears are ripe and ready to eat when picked. They have a crunchy texture and are incredibly sweet and juicy. Enjoy fresh or substitute Bartlett’s in recipes. Bartlett pears  ripen off the tree. Let set at room temperature or wrap in newspaper and store in a cool, dry place. They will soften to eat in one to two weeks.

  • Yoinashi
  • 20th Century
  • Olympic
  • Hosui
  • Niitaka
  • Shinko
  • Shinseiki
  • Bartlett
  • Rosy Bartlett