[PhilBen]

Hi all we have a couple of apple trees at the bottom of the garden. We bought them last year. This year they have quite a few apples on them. My question is when do you know the time to pick them. I think it's some time in August but not quite sure?

[Fleecewife]

Different varieties are ready at different times, so if you know the names you can look up when they should be ready.  To tell if they actually are ready, lift a fruit gently in your hand and give it a small twist.  When it's ready the stalk will disconnect but if it's unripe you would have to pull hard to remove it.  Check each apple in the same way as they don't all ripen at exactly the same time on each tree.
Well done for getting such a good crop so soon.  We live at 1000' above sea level in Scotland which is just about the altitude and latitude limit for apples.  A couple of varieties are doing well but the new trees I planted last year have died of canker, probably because they were stressed by the unfavourable conditions.  The bigger trees have canker but still seem able to produce fruit. I'm loathe to chop them down as then we would have none 

[PhilBen]

Thanks for your advice, we also have pear and plum trees but they are not doing so well perhaps next year they will.
Many Thanks
Phil