• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    From the Extension: Apple of my eye
    Features, Lifestyles, LIFESTYLES -- FEATURE SPOT, Z - TOP HOME
     By  Staff Reports Published 
    5:06 pm Friday, September 16, 2022

    From the Extension: Apple of my eye

  • 🞬
    ❮❯

    Franklin Living September/October 2022

    As fall approaches, one favorite fruit starts getting a little more attention that it does the rest of the year: the humble apple.

    Rich with history and folklore, apples were a favorite food of Europeans who settled in the New World. No other fruit is so widely grown around the world than the apple. Numerous books have been written about apples, such as the story about Johnny Appleseed, which mentions more than 4,000 varieties.

    Apples are heterozygous: A new variety is born each time a seed is germinated and developed into a bearing tree. Although hundreds of varieties exist, 10-20 are seen by consumers in grocery stores.

    APPLE FACTS

    1. Two thirds of the apple crop grown in the U.S. is used to eat. The other one third is used for apple juice, apple sauce, apple butter and packaged apple slices.
    2. The most-grown apple variety is the Red Delicious.
    3. The top 10 apple-producing states are Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio and Idaho.
    4. Apples are a great source of fiber. The apple skin and flesh help lower blood cholesterol and support a healthy gut.
    5. Apple trees produce fruit in one of two ways: Spur-bearers produce fruit on the small, thorn-shaped branches that extend off the main tree branch, while tip-bearers produce fruit on the tips of the branches from the previous year.

    AN APPLE A DAY

    Wondering what variety is best suited different types of recipes? Here’s an easy cheat sheet:

    • Fuji: fresh eating, salads, baking, applesauce, pies, freezing
    • Gala: fresh eating, salads, applesauce, baking, pies
    • Ginger gold: fresh eating, salads, applesauce, pies
    • Golden Delicious: fresh eating, salads, applesauce, baking, pies, desserts, freezing
    • Granny Smith: fresh eating, sautéing, applesauce, baking, pies, juice, freezing
    • Mutsu: fresh eating, applesauce, pies, desserts, juice
    • Ozark Gold: fresh eating, applesauce, cooking, baking, pies
    • Red Delicious: fresh eating, salads, applesauce

    GET GROWING

    What is needed to grow apples?

    Pick an area where apple trees will be in the sun all or most of the day. Morning sun dries dew from leaves, reducing diseases, and sunlight helps to increase fruit production.

    Apple trees will not grow in soil that drains poorly; roots will die, resulting in stunted growth and death of the tree. Deep soil with a sandy loom to a sandy clay is a good choice.

    When it comes to purchasing trees, buy them from a reliable resource. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

    • A small tree with a good root system is a better choice than a large tree with a poor root system.
    • 1-year-old trees grow better.
    • Do not purchase trees that are insect-ridden, diseased or injured, stunted or poorly grown.
    • Check trees for the desired variety and root stock.
    • Trees should feel firm and not spongy or brittle. If you cut through the roots, they should reveal a tissue that is white to creamy in color. Tan or brown indicates that the roots are damaged or dying.
    • While some apples are adaptable, make sure you choose an apple variety suitable for the zone area in which you live in.
    • Before planting, prepare the soil thoroughly by plowing or spading followed by disking or raking to smooth the surface. Check the pH of the soil, which should be 6.5, and ;ime the soil. Keep weeds out of a 3×3 area so they will not compete for moisture and nutrients. When fertilizing, nitrogen is the most important nutrient needed. Phosphorus and potassium should be applied before planting.

    FRUIT PRODUCTION

    Apple trees grown under favorable conditions will set more fruit than they can successfully carry to maturity. The removal of excess fruit from the trees is essential to ensure satisfactory development of color, shape and size of the apples remaining on the tree.

    Failure to remove the excess fruit will decrease flower formation for the following year and cause the tree to only produce a crop every other year.

    Remove fruit by hand, reducing the apples to one per cluster, with fruiting clusters spaced about every 6 inches along the limb.

    To remove fruit without damaging the spur or the other apples on the spur, hold the stem between the thumb and forefinger and push the fruit from the stem with the other fingers. This method will remove the apple, leaving the stem attached to the spur.

    The earlier hand-thinning is completed, the more effective it will be. Mid-summer thinning will help improve fruit size, but it will not aid the formation of the next year’s flower buds. Most of the flower buds for next year are initiated during a 4-to-6-week period following full bloom, so you need to thin before this time.

    HOW TO PICK APPLES

    When picking apples, be careful to avoid injuring the fruit. Remove the apple from the spur by pulling upward and outward while rotating the fruit slightly. On some of the thin, long-stemmed varieties, such as Golden Delicious, it might be necessary to firmly place the index finger at the point of attachment of the stem and spur to prevent the spur from breaking. Pick apples with their stems attached to the fruit; otherwise, they will not keep as long.

    For more information on apples, check with your county Extension Office at 256-332-8880.

    Sources: Alabama Cooperative Extension, University of Georgia, U.S. Apple Crop Data, USDA

    Also on Franklin County Times
    PHOTO GALLERY: Jam at Sloss Lake
    Franklin County, Galleries, Lifestyles
    PHOTO GALLERY: Jam at Sloss Lake
    Griffin Traylor 
    July 9, 2025
    Auditor says city’s financial health is very good
    Main, News, Russellville, ...
    Auditor says city’s financial health is very good
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 9, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE -- The city has received what its auditor called a “clean opinion” on its fiscal year 2024 audit, meaning no significant deficiencies or ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Place of Grace opens recovery home in Franklin County
    Franklin County, Main, News, ...
    Place of Grace opens recovery home in Franklin County
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 9, 2025
    The Place of Grace has opened a new recovery home in Franklin County, offering women a structured, faith-based environment to continue their journey a...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Hamilton: Title II funding freeze is a concern
    Main, News, Russellville, ...
    Hamilton: Title II funding freeze is a concern
    Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
    July 9, 2025
    R U S S E L L V I L L E – Franklin County Superintendent Greg Hamilton is concerned about the status of more than $6 billion in federal education gran...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Fire Department receives new $2.2M platform truck
    Main, News, Russellville, ...
    Fire Department receives new $2.2M platform truck
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 9, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE Firefighters and city officials showed off the Fire Department’s new $2.2 million 100-foot platform fire truck in a safety demonstration ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Palmer certified for fourth term on Russellville Council
    News, Russellville, Z - News Main
    Palmer certified for fourth term on Russellville Council
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 9, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE – The city council approved a certificate of election stating Councilman David Palmer was the only candidate to qualify for Council Distr...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Summer camps nurture faith, friendship and growth
    Columnists, Opinion
    HERE AND NOW
    Summer camps nurture faith, friendship and growth
    July 9, 2025
    Susie Hovater Malone Columnist During the summer many Franklin County youths enjoy attending summer camps, where they engage in hiking, swimming, spor...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    The prosperity we enjoy depends on Sea Lanes of Communication
    Columnists, Opinion
    The prosperity we enjoy depends on Sea Lanes of Communication
    July 9, 2025
    The Pax Americana, the period since World War II when there have been no major world wars, has led to the greatest period of freedom the world has eve...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Latest Local News
    PHOTO GALLERY: Jam at Sloss Lake
    PHOTO GALLERY: Jam at Sloss Lake
    July 9, 2025
    Auditor says city’s financial health is very good
    Auditor says city’s financial health is very good
    RUSSELLVILLE -- The city has received what its auditor called a “clean opinion” on its fiscal year 2024 audit, meaning no significant deficiencies or ...
    July 9, 2025
    Place of Grace opens recovery home in Franklin County
    Place of Grace opens recovery home in Franklin County
    The Place of Grace has opened a new recovery home in Franklin County, offering women a structured, faith-based environment to continue their journey a...
    July 9, 2025
    Hamilton: Title II funding freeze is a concern
    Hamilton: Title II funding freeze is a concern
    R U S S E L L V I L L E – Franklin County Superintendent Greg Hamilton is concerned about the status of more than $6 billion in federal education gran...
    July 9, 2025
    Fire Department receives new $2.2M platform truck
    Fire Department receives new $2.2M platform truck
    RUSSELLVILLE Firefighters and city officials showed off the Fire Department’s new $2.2 million 100-foot platform fire truck in a safety demonstration ...
    July 9, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Municipal elections: Let your voice be heard on Aug. 26
    Qualifying for municipal races across the state, including Franklin County, closed on June 24 leaving several contested races leading up to the Aug. 2...
    July 9, 2025
    TVA surcharge to raise August bills for customers
    RUSSELLVILLE Electricity customers should expect higher bills in August as TVA passes along a surcharge driven by high summer demand and a recent outa...
    July 9, 2025
    Hutcheson participates in CCHS program
    Hutcheson participates in CCHS program
    PHIL CAMPBELL — Rising Phil Campbell High School senior Hudson Hutcheson spent most of his summer at the University of Alabama. An aspiring dentist, h...
    July 9, 2025
    Being struck by lightning was ‘shocking experience’
    Being struck by lightning was ‘shocking experience’
    RUSSELLVILLE — Lisa Henderson was lying on her bed, scrolling through social media sites on her phone and enjoying a cozy, rainy Sunday afternoon with...
    July 9, 2025
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    RED BAY -- Tyler Jeffreys has been named the new head coach at Red Bay High School. Jeffreys is stepping in to replace Heath Childers, who recently re...
    July 9, 2025
    Latest Sports
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    RED BAY -- Tyler Jeffreys has been named the new head coach at Red Bay High School. Jeffreys is stepping in to replace Heath Childers, who recently re...
    July 9, 2025
    Hamilton to play baseball at Blue Mountain College
    Hamilton to play baseball at Blue Mountain College
    RED BAY -- Red Bay High School’s Reed Hamilton has officially signed a scholarship to continue his education and baseball career at Blue Mountain Coll...
    July 9, 2025
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    PHIL CAMPBELL -- A familiar face will be leading the Phil Campbell High School Lady Bobcats softball program next season. Darby Allison, a 2007 gradua...
    July 2, 2025
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) has signed 6 Franklin County students to its 2025–26 Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME)...
    July 2, 2025
    Junior golfers hone skills through summer program
    Junior golfers hone skills through summer program
    RUSSELLVILLE -- A young generation of golfers teed off this summer at Twin Pines Country Club, thanks to a local effort to create opportunities for ch...
    July 2, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , Franklin County Times