We have quite a few apple and pear trees in the garden. The amount they produce is not a huge quantity but is enough if stored properly to
last a couple of months. Now the key phrase is stored properly. Because of time commits quite a bit of fruit can fall to the floor. This is collected preferably when the grass is dry, in plastic trays

The fruit which is collected from the ground is always used first. It tends to have got bruised from the fall and will not last in long term storage. Mixing it with undamaged fruit will often result in all the fruit rotting much faster.

The apples and pears which are picked are store in some wooden crates we have. These have a slated base and are ideal for storing fruit. We try and remember to keep the varities seperate.

One of the keys to storing apple and pears is the temperature. Having being involved in the moving of apples and pears from France to UK for Tescos etc in fridge lorries. We always have set the fridges to run at around +4 degrees. The ideal tempeture is around +3 degrees to +8 degress centigrade. While most people do not have huge coolers at home the next place is usually the garage. Dark and cool and usually frost free this is the next best place. The fruit should be stored either seperately wrapped in paper with air gaps around them or in small plastic bags, such as sandwich bags. Most people will chose the latter as having done the paper route before it is much, much quicker. Do not over fill the bags and make sure that you have several ventillation holes in them. When storing the bags do not stack them on top of each other. The downward force will over time start squashing the fruit and promote rotting.

It is important to make sure that the fruit is avoid exposure to very cold temperatures. This will impare the quality of the fruit and shorten it storage life.

If you follow these tips you should end up with several months good storage of your fruit. It is important to check on the fruit every week or so and make sure any fruit which has started to rot is taken out and disposed of.

A Summary of the important steps are shown below

• Store any fruit which has fallen to the ground seperate to picked fruit
• Any fruit which has started to rot - Either if still possible put to eat first of all else dispose of
• Any fruit which has brusing, insect damage, etc either dispose or use straight away
• Store fruit in a cool dark location. Ideal temperature is between 3 and 8 degrees centigrade. Must be kept frost free.
• Store fruit ideally in single layers with room for air to circulate.
• Apples and Pears either be single wrapped in paper or more pratically in plastic bags.
• Do not overfill the plastic bags.
• Ensure any plastic bags have ventaliation holes
• Do not store bags on top of each other. Heavy down force will bruise the fruit and promote rotting.
• Check the bags weekly. Dispose of or if some still ok use straight away.