What to do with fallen apples – If you have an apple tree in your yard, and you find piles of ripe and unripe fruits, you might be wondering what to do with them.
There are many uses for them besides eating them fresh, even though they may be tiny, sour, and just not as attractive to bite into.
It’s best to pick these apples that have fallen to the ground because could cause the neighboring trees to develop brown rot if you leave them there.
This article contains information on what you could do with fallen apples and other related information.
Stages Of Fallen Apple
Depending on what stage they are at, you can use the fallen apples in different ways.
The June drop is one natural occurrence that causes early fruit loss. Nature gets rid of the extra fruit load from late May through June, and occasionally even into early July, allowing the tree to produce the biggest, healthiest fruits.
Additionally, it keeps the tree’s limbs from snapping under the weight of the fruit. You will see smaller, immature fruits on the ground as a result of this diminution of fruit in the early summer.
After the June drop, strong winds, rain, pests, and illnesses will continue to scatter fruit in various states of ripeness throughout the summer and fall.
There is no need to leave the apples on the ground unless they are infected, rotting, bitten, or you want to share your harvest with the wildlife.
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Should You Pick Up Fallen Apples?
Always gather any apples that fall from your trees, because fallen apples can cause surrounding trees to develop brown rot if they are left on the ground.
Fallen apples also bring pests like flies, rats, and other animals into your yard.
Compared to hand-picked fruit, apples collected from the ground are dirtier and more distorted, so before using these apples that have fallen, properly wash and prepare them.
When picking apples off the ground as opposed to branches, they will be more smashed and harmed.
Wash them thoroughly and check for rot, and bug activity, and before using the fruit in your dishes, thoroughly prepare it by removing any damaged regions.
What To Do With Fallen Apples?
Fallen apples can be used to produce a variety of items, including apple butter, chutney, and applesauce.
If you prefer to produce your vinegar, another choice is apple cider vinegar.
Applesauce and apple butter are two dishes that benefit greatly from using fallen apples.
The apples can be fed to your horses, miniature goats, and other animals, but when feeding the apples to your animals, only use them as extra food.
If you raise animals, you can use the fallen apples as feed for them, and the apples can be consumed whole by horses, pigs, and other large livestock, but for your chickens, small goats, and other animals, slice up the apples.
The fruit does not give your animals all the daily nutrients they require to flourish, however, they are a fantastic addition to a balanced diet.
Is It Okay To Leave Fallen Apples On The Ground?
Leave no trace of any apples that have fallen on the ground, because as the fruit rots, it can cause surrounding trees to contract brown rot.
Rats, mice, wasps, beetles, and other pests are drawn to fallen apples and can cause damage to your orchard.
Once it has spread, brown rot can adversely affect up to 50% of the fruit on your trees and the Monilinia fungus is what causes the decay in reality.
Usually, insects aid in the fungus’s ability to spread from tree to tree, and the fungus also is easily dispersed by wind and rain.
Your fruit trees may sustain significant harm if brown rot invades your orchard as a result of apples that have fallen from the trees.
Do Fallen Apples Attract Rats?
Rats, mice, and voles are undoubtedly attracted to fallen apples and the decaying fruit attracts a wide variety of insects, including wasps.
The fruit must be collected as it falls if you want to stop them because even a brief period on the ground with the apples will cause a bug infestation.
Even after you pick up any fallen apples, well-established pests will eat your developing fruit, so you will have to put in extra effort to eradicate pests from your house if you allow them to grow entrenched.
To get rid of the pests, you will then need to set up traps, apply organic insecticides, and put in extra effort.
So cleaning up fallen apples every day is the best way to keep bugs away.
Practical Ways To Use Fallen Apples
1. For Making Pectin
Pectin, a thickening substance that aids in the creation of jams and jellies, is best made from unripe apples.
In actuality, unripe apples have a higher pectin content than mature ones. The concentration of pectin, a naturally occurring substance in apples, decreases as the fruit ripens.
3 pounds of unripe apples should be chopped up and added to a pot with 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to manufacture pectin.
Until the water in the combination has reduced by half, bring the mixture to a boil.
The juice should be transferred to jars and kept in the refrigerator after being strained with cheesecloth and given a second boil.
2. For Making Jam
If you don’t want to make pectin, you can achieve the same results by just adding some unripe apples to jams and jellies.
They’ll not only aid in the jam’s setting but also provide the flavor a touch of acidity, elevating any homemade jam or jelly recipe.
You should also know that adding raw apples can result in your jam’s consistency being unclear.
Also, avoid adding too many raw apples to the jam because that would make the acidity too potent.
3. Poaching
Unripe apples might be difficult to chew, but poaching them makes them more enjoyable because the flavors and texture are improved by poaching.
Water, juice, or wine used for poaching should be brought to a boil in a pot. Unripe apples should be sliced and cored, then added to the boiling liquid and cooked for about 30 minutes.
The poached apples can be eaten right away or stored in the refrigerator for later.
4. Frying
Another method for softening unripe apples and enhancing their flavors is to fry them.
The apples should be peeled, cored, and sliced before being added to a frying pan with butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
Increase the heat a little to thicken the sauce after letting the combination stew until it is soft.
5. Apple Chutney
Making a potent, flavorful apple chutney with unripe windfall apples is another fantastic method to transform them into something delicious.
Fennel and cumin seeds should be heated in some oil in a pot, one teaspoon each, and 1 finely sliced onion should be added and cooked until golden.
After adding, simmer cayenne pepper for 30 seconds, then add one pound of cored and diced apples, one piece of peeled and thinly sliced fresh ginger, two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, one and a half cups of sugar, salt, and pepper, and boil until the sugar caramelizes and the apples thicken.
6. Apple Pie
One of the most popular dishes in American homes is apple pie, and the good news is that it can use up to a bunch of apples at once.
Additionally, you can make apple crumble, turnovers, or a variety of other dessert recipes with your fallen apples.
7. Fruit Leather
You can satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade fruit leather without suffering any negative effects.
Apples that have been cored, peeled, and cubed are cooked in a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and boiling water until tender.
Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet lined baking tray, then spread it out thinly with a spatula.
Until it hardens, bake it for 2 to 3 hours, then divide into strips, roll up, and store in an airtight container.
8. Apple Juice
Homemade apple juice is a great way to increase the number of antioxidants in your diet because it has a good balance of sweet and sour flavors.
Cook 3 pounds of ripe apples in 3 cups of water, without peeling or coring them. The mixture will continue to boil while the apples are occasionally mashed.
Using a jelly bag, strain the contents, add sugar to taste, then freeze it after cooling.
FAQ
Does kale keep growing after you pick it?
Kale is designed to keep producing leaves for a while. Cutting the stems or the roots will harm the plant and impede or prevent any future growth.
Does kale grow back every year?
According to Cornell University, kale is a biennial that many people cultivate as an annual. Some kale cultivars are perennials that grow year after year.
How long do kale plants last?
Kale may grow in your garden for up to two years. You get a lot of tasty leaves in the first year of growth. Your plants will concentrate on developing seeds in the second year. If you only want leaves from your kale plants, grow them as annuals.
Does curly kale regrow after cutting?
Kale functions as a cut-and-come-again vegetable that grows back to regrow its leaves for multiple harvests when it is safely harvested.
When should you harvest kale?
When the leaves are about the size of your hand, kale is ready for harvest. For each harvest, take around a fistful of the outer leaves; do not take more than one-third of the plant at once.
Can you eat kale raw?
You can consume kale, a leafy dark green, either raw or cooked.
Can you take cuttings from kale?
The oldest leaves must be used for cuttings in order to maintain kale’s health.
Why is my garden kale bitter?
This is due to the fact that crushing the leaves causes the myrosinase enzyme and glucosinolates, two significant compounds naturally found in kale, to have their cell walls destroyed.
Conclusion
Fallen apples are dirtier than hand-picked apples, so ensure you properly wash and prepare them before using them.
Wash them thoroughly and check for rot and bug activity before using them for your various recipes.
There are various things to do with fallen apples such as making your apple sauce, apple syrup, and apple cider.
