Michigan’s apple harvest is set to begin on time, with early varieties, including Paula red and ginger gold, starting in late August.
Galas will follow, around Sept. 8, with Honeycrisps about 10 days later, according to the Michigan Apple Committee, Lansing.
“Michigan’s apple growers have continued to work through the (COVID-19) crisis and apples continue to grow,” Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, said in a news release. “Right now they are ripening on trees and will be ready for consumers to enjoy in just a few short weeks.”
A detailed chart on when apple varieties will be ready for harvest in Michigan is available on the committee’s website, www.MichiganApples.com.
The committee will release its official crop estimate at the U.S. Apple Association’s annual conference, now a virtual event, on Aug. 21.
Michigan apple harvest is around 25 million bushels, according to the release, and there are almost 15 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 34,500 acres on 775 family farms, according to the release.
“There is always a great deal of excitement around apple harvest time, and this year is no exception,” Smith said in the release. “In fact, consumers are more interested than ever in providing fresh, healthy foods for their families, as staying healthy and well has been top-of-mind over the past several months.”
Recipes and meal plans are available on the Michigan Apple Committee site.
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