How do I know when apples are ready for picking

[SongThrush]

Our Jonathan Grieve apple trees have at last produced a good crop of apples. For the first three years we had a bad late frost just as the trees burst into flower and that put paid to any chances of a crop.

So this is the first year that we will be picking apples but I would appreciate advice on how to tell when the apples are ready.

Thank you in advance.

[bearded bloke]

Very GENTLY twist & pull the apple, if it's ready it will EASILY come away from the branch with the stem still attached

[veggiechicken]

Cup the apple in your hand and turn your hand gently to the side. If ripe the stalk will snap away from the tree. If it doesn't, leave it.
Don't touch the apple with your fingers as it leaves bruises.
When you know the apples are ready for picking, you can "knock" where the stalk joins the branch with the side of your index finger. After you've done this for a few weeks you develop a patch of hard skin that never seems to disappear.

.........and once picked, place the apple in the container, don't drop/chuck it. Treat them gently at all stages.

PS I spent 6 months picking and packing apples in Tasmania many moons ago and I still have that patch of hard skin

[SongThrush]

Thank you Bearded Bloke and veggiechicken. It will be a while before they are big enough to pick but thought that I would ask the question now.

veggiechicken, I would imagine that picking apples for a living would be hard work, no wonder you still bare the scars.