summer apple

Description

Summer apples (early apples, summer varieties, transparent apples) ripen very early, between July and September, and are then ready to eat when picked from the tree. They can hardly be stored for longer than until October.

General and History

Until the second half of the 20th century, summer apples were highly prized for their early ripening. With the advent of international fruit trade (today apples are available year-round), their cultivation steadily declined. Today, summer apples are primarily popular for home gardening and less so for commercial fruit growing.

Distribution in the past and today

Depending on the variety, summer apples are also suitable for higher altitudes (up to about 1000 meters). Humus-rich, moist but not waterlogged soils are advantageous; elevations up to about 700 meters are well-suited. Temperature requirements are low, however, apples need relatively high humidity, such as near larger lakes. The more rainy, cooler, and less sunny the climate, and the heavier and wetter the soil, the later the tree will complete its growth in autumn. Similarly, the wood of the new shoots will mature less effectively, and the tree will be more susceptible to frost damage in cold winters. Therefore, frost-prone areas, hollows, and shady slopes should be avoided.

Cultivation

Like all apples, summer apples need sufficient soil moisture, such as that found in medium-heavy, loamy soils.

Utilization

Since summer apples have a refreshing acidity and little aroma, they are suitable as table apples for eating fresh, but also as cooking apples.

Suitability

Fresh consumption

Processing and products

Dessert apples; summer apples are very delicate and easily bruised. Harvesting must therefore be done very carefully. Furthermore, they have a very short shelf life: the ripening process progresses quickly and the apples become mealy.

Literature

Petzold, H.(1990 (4. Auflage)): Apfelsorten