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Anyone who knows me knows I love Michigan apples like nobody’s business. In fact, Michigan Apple people, if you need a spokesgirl, tweet me or something.

There is nothing like a farm-fresh apple, and now that I’ve learned how to store them correctly, I don’t ever have to eat store-bought apples. The farm I buy mine from closes this weekend so, as is my yearly plan, I stocked up on several bushels at the last minute (his storage is the best so I wait until as late as possible) and then begin the simple process. I buy Ida Reds because they are really sturdy, tart, and hold up really well.
Last year I bought my apples just after Thanksgiving and stored them successfully until mid-spring!

So, here’s how: Buy a bunch of gallon-sized storage bags. I used about 30 for three bushels of apples.
Fill each bag with unwashed apples. I average about 9 per bag.

Then I round up all the coolers I have in the house, and fill them full of bags of apples.

The coolers get stored in the garage as close to an inside wall as possible. My apple guy suggested I get them at least a foot off the ground. Last year I had them on our storage shelves and just got into one cooler at a time. I only lost about 2-3 apples over the winter.

I don’t can any applesauce because I make it fresh any day I need it. I also can make apple butter at any time, or pie, or apple brownies, or apple crisp. The list goes on, and I’m a happy, apple-rich girl.

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  1. Ann Howerton says:

    I have recently gotten several apples. I froze several. I knew you had to keep apples in a cool place, but never thought about a garage type area. We do have outbuildings which should be perfect. Thank you so much for this information!! Be blessed.

  2. Melanie says:

    I’m so glad I found this. We went apple picking last weekend and have two bushels in the kitchen. We wanted to store them so they keep though winter so I’m very excited to find this. Do you close or have open coolers???

    I love you site even more knowing your a fellow Yooper!

  3. Neva says:

    When you are start your apples do you look at each on to check for bad spots etc.? Just wondering reading up on storing apples our tree is loaded this year >Thank you

  4. Neva says:

    When you are string your apples do you look at each on to check for bad spots etc.? Just wondering reading up on storing apples our tree is loaded this year >Thank you

    • alison says:

      Hello, Neva!
      Absolutely! It’s true what they say. One bad apple can ruin the whole bunch. If it has a bad spot, use that apple right away (just cut out the bad spot). :o) Thanks for stopping by!

  5. Ann Rose says:

    Thank you for the storage idea. I just finished canning peaches, fig and plum jam, drying trays of figs and now my apples are ready to pick. Needless to say I don’t have the energy for more canning.

    Now I can pack them away and get them when ready!

    Thanks again,
    Ann

    • alison says:

      Hi, Ann!
      Canning is so exhausting and so very satisfying, isn’t it? There’s something about all of those beautiful jars full of fruit lined upon the shelf…
      Sounds like you have quite the fruit bounty! Nice work! I so hope this method works well for you. It has served me well for years. I’m so grateful you stopped by and wish you the very best! :o)

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