How to store apples over winter
Apples can keep for months, but only if they are chosen and stored properly. This page explains the temperature and humidity to aim for, which fruit to set aside, which varieties keep longer and what to watch over winter. Both sources are US university advisories; they do not cover everything, and what is missing is noted below. This is general information for home storage.
At a glance
- Temperature
- Near 32°F (0°C), but never frozen. Optimum is at or just above 32°F.
- Humidity
- High — about 90–95%. In dry air apples shrivel.
- Which fruit
- Clean, disease-free apples without bruises.
- Warm room
- At about 50°F (10°C) apples spoil two to three times faster than at 32°F.
- Varieties
- Harder, thicker-skinned apples generally keep longer.
- How long
- From a few weeks to 5 months or more — depends on the variety and conditions.
- Refrigerator
- Apples in a plastic bag with a few holes to raise humidity.
- Basement or cellar
- Works if it stays cool without freezing.
Which fruit to store
Start with clean, disease-free apples. Avoid bruised ones — bruising leads to decay.
If you notice a fruit with spots or damage, remove it at once: decay from one apple can spread to its neighbours.
Temperature and humidity
- Store apples cool, but never at freezing temperatures.
- Optimum is at or just above 32°F (0°C); Iowa State gives a range of 30–32°F at 90–95% relative humidity.
- According to the same source, at about 50°F (10°C) apples spoil two to three times faster than at 32°F.
- In low humidity the fruit shrivels.
Where to keep them
- A basement or cellar, if it stays cool without freezing.
- In the refrigerator — in a plastic bag with a few holes, to increase humidity.
Which varieties keep
Harder, thicker-skinned apples generally keep longer. Clemson names Arkansas Black, Stayman Winesap, Rome, Fuji and Pink Lady — five months or more when conditions are right. Gala and Golden Delicious may last only a few weeks, even in ideal conditions.
Iowa State gives about 3–6 months for Jonathan and Red Delicious under optimal conditions. Apply the same principle to the varieties in your own garden — harder and thicker-skinned keep longer.
What the sources do not say
Neither source says how often to check the fruit, how to pack it in crates, or how apples behave next to other produce. We therefore do not present those points as established.
Common questions
What temperature should apples be stored at?
Near 32°F (0°C), but never frozen. Clemson gives the optimum as at or just above 32°F; Iowa State gives 30–32°F.
What humidity do they need?
High — Iowa State gives 90–95%. In low humidity apples shrivel.
How long do apples keep?
It depends on the variety and conditions: Gala and Golden Delicious only a few weeks, while Arkansas Black, Fuji, Pink Lady and others five months or more. Jonathan and Red Delicious about 3–6 months under optimal conditions.
Can I keep them in the refrigerator?
Yes — in a plastic bag with a few holes to raise humidity. A basement or cellar also works if it stays cool without freezing.
What do I do with damaged fruit?
Remove it at once. Decay from one apple can spread to neighbouring apples.
Important: This page is general background for a home garden and does not replace an on-site look or a specialist's advice. It names no spray products: for crop protection, always follow the product label and the rules in force.
Related calendars
More seasonal tips
Sources
This page was checked against the public reference below. It is general background, not a diagnosis of a specific plant.
- Clemson Extension (K. Roach, 2021) — Storing apples
- Iowa State University Extension — What are the best storage conditions for apples? (2022)
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