Just Picking Apples

Getting Lost in Your Apple Picking

There is something to be said for the repetitive action of picking apples.  Either on the ground or from the ladder, you are gazing into the canopy of this tree searching for the next apple to pick.

It is very easy for your mind to wander a bit:

• Who planted this tree?
• How old is it?
• What variety of apple is it?
• Has the tree been cared for over the years?

Then you are brought back to center when your stomach reminds you could be eating an apple right now. Go figure–eating and working at the same time.

There is an art to picking apples.  Besides looking for healthy, ripe apples, you are trying to pick the apple and stem cleanly from the “spur” it developed on.  The spur is an extension of the tree that grows and supports the fruit year after year.  That is, unless you pick it along with apple.  So, somewhere in that wandering of your mind, you are trying to focus on keeping the spur intact for the season to come.

Apple picking in Colorado can also be a little dusty.  Dust and dirt collect on the leaves and apples throughout the summer.  In the harsh drought we’ve experienced this year, cleansing rains have been few and far  between.  We find ourselves sneezing a bit as we gaze upwards picking apples.

Even so, the act of picking apples is a pause from the day-to-day grind.  If you are lucky enough to have a tree, give it a shot and see if you can get lost in your own thoughts…

Did you know that over 80% of all apple juice consumed in the United States comes from another country?  Branch Out Cider is dedicated to breaking our dependence on foreign apples.

The Apple Independence blog is our chance to share this endeavor in urban agriculture with you.  We’ll post stories about how we’re collaborating with apple tree owners to create apple wine from their local apples.  Maybe, you’d like to submit “Your Story” idea?