Harvesting winter apples
In the popular poem about “Herr von Ribbeck” by Theodor Fontane there is a pear tree, but the golden autumn season is also the best time to harvest apples.

Harvesting winter apples:
A distinction is made between apples for immediate consumption and storage apples. Unlike summer and autumn varieties, winter varieties should hang on the tree for as long as possible, as they only gain sweetness and flavor over time. Tip: The fruit on the south-facing side of a tree is usually the first to ripen. Varieties such as 'Schöner von Boskoop', 'Finkenwerder Herbstprinz', or 'Rote Sternrenette' usually reach eating ripeness in December or January, but with proper storage, they can be stored until March or April.
Tips:
Only pick in dry weather and wear gloves as a precaution. Otherwise you might accidentally pick bad spots or wasps that are nestling in the fruit. Always harvest the fruit with the stem on it and check the fruit for damage. You can precisely determine ripeness with the so-called "tilt test". Gently lift the apple hanging from the tree and turn it about 90 degrees. If the fruit separates easily from the branch, it is ready to be picked. The easiest way to reach the uppermost fruits is with a fruit picker. Apples, pears or plums land elegantly in the cotton bag with a quick twist of the wrist. However, only one fruit should be picked at a time to avoid bruises. If apples or pears have bad spots, they must be sorted out.