Fall is my favorite time of year with cool, crisp nights and warm, sunny, dry days. These conditions are not only pleasant and enjoyable for many outdoor activities, they are also ideal for apples to ripen.

Soon apple growers throughout the state will be harvesting several different apple varieties. Unlike the limited selection found on produce shelves most of the year, their offerings may include twenty or more different varieties, each with a little different flavor, texture , fruit color, and use. Take advantage of this selection and try some of the locally grown apples. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has prepared a brochure, Iowa Fall Produce Directory 1997, that contains information about 200 different producers in 69 counties. It includes the names, addresses, and hours of operation of producers that are selling apples, pumpkins, and winter squash. This directory is available by writing to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Wallace Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319.

Below is a list of the characteristics and uses of some apple varieties that can be found in Iowa orchards and markets this fall.

Variety	Maturity	Texture	Flavor	Storage life	Uses	Remarks
Paulared	Late Aug.	Crisp	Slightly tart	Short	Fresh
Wealthy	Late Aug. - early Sept.	Tender	Slightly tart	Short	Cooking, fresh
Gala	Late Aug. - early Sept.	Crisp	Slightly sweetShort	Cooking	Orange/red; yellow flesh
McIntosh	Early to mid-Sept.	Tender	Slightly tart	Moderate	Cooking, fresh	Bright red
Jonadel	Mid - late Sept.	Tender	Slightly sweet	Good	Cooking, fresh ISU release in 1958; red fruit
Haralson	Mid - late Sept.	Crisp	Tart	Excellent	Cooking, fresh	White, firm flesh
Cortland	Mid - late Sept.	Crisp	Slightly tart	Good	Cooking, fresh	White flesh that is slow to darken when cut
Honeygold	Mid - late Sept.	Crisp	Slightly sweet	Good	Cooking, fresh
Jonafree	Mid - late Sept.	Tender	Slightly tart	Good	Cooking, fresh
Jonathan	Mid - late Sept.	Tender	Slightly tart	Moderate	Cooking, fresh
Jonagold	Late Sept -early Oct.	Tender	Slightly tart	Good	Cooking, fresh	Large yellow fruit with red striping
Chieftain	Late Sept. - early Oct.	Crisp	Slightly tart	Good	Cooking, fresh	ISU release in 1966; large red fruit
Spartan	Mid - late Sept.	Tender	Slightly tart	Good	Cooking, fresh
Liberty	Late Sept. - early Oct.	Crisp	Slightly tart	Good	Fresh	Greenish yellow with red stripes
Red Delicious	Late Sept. - early Oct.	Crisp	Sweet	Excellent	Cooking, fresh
Golden Delicious	Late Sept. - early Oct.	Tender	Sweet	Excellent	Cooking, fresh
Golden Grimes	Late Sept.	Crisp	Slightly tart	Excellent	Cooking, fresh
Rome Beauty	Late Sept.	Tender	Slightly tart	Good	Cooking
Mutsu	Mid - late Oct.	Crisp	Slightly tart	Excellent	Cooking, fresh	Yellow-green fruit

This article originally appeared in the September 12, 1997 issue, pp. 138-139.