Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Know the number of days from bloom to harvest. MacIntosh apples ripen in 130 to 145 days; Jonathan apples ripen in 135 to 145 days, Red Delicious in 145 to 150 days and Golden Delicious in 152 to 165 days.
2

Check the background color (not the red color of the apples). When the background color changes from a definite green to a yellowish green, the fruit is nearing maturity. As a test, pick insect-damaged fruit that is of the same color and ripeness, and cut it open and see what stage it is at.
3

Note when the first few fruits begin to fall and the stems easily separate from the branch.
4

Cut the apple open. The flesh inside the apple peel will change from a greenish color to creamy white. The seeds should be dark.
5

Taste it. When ripe, the fruit will be somewhat sweet rather than starchy.