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Mood's Farm Market in Mullica Hill produces their own apple cider for the fall season. Staff photo by Calista Condo/Gloucester County Times.

All across South Jersey, shiny, red, juicy apples are hanging on their branches just waiting to be picked.

Many local farms welcome visitors to pick their own apples, but what should you look for when trying to choose the best apples?

Pamela Mood of Mood's Farm Market in Mullica Hill said the color of the apple is key to it's ripeness.

“A ripe apple should look the correct color,” she said. “For example, Pink Lady apples that are not ready to pick are very green. When Pink Lady apples are ready for picking, they will be a very pretty shade of pink with a cream under color.”

Mood said the farm follows a schedule for apple picking.

“Ginger gold and Gala are one of the first ones we pick, followed next by Empire and Cortland,” she said. “Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and Staymared start in the middle of September. Fuji and Pink Lady are our last varieties, which start around Oct. 1.”

When picking, Mood suggests being gentle with the fruit.

“If you would like to pick your own apples, put you palm next to the apple, wrap your fingers around it, then gently twist the apple to remove it from the tree,” she said. “It’s not necessary to yank the apple off the tree.”

After you’ve picked your fill of apples, Mood said to store them in a plastic bag.

“First put them in a plastic bag, then keep them in the refrigerator,” she said. “The plastic bag helps keep moisture in the apples. If kept cool, apples will last for several weeks. They have a longer shelf life than most fruits.”

While wandering through the apple orchard, visitors will see many fruits laying on the ground.

Mood's Farm Market in Mullica Hill produces their own apple cider for the fall season. Staff photo by Calista Condo/Gloucester County Times.

“We do not recommend picking apples off the ground for eating,” Mood said. “We also do not use any apples that were picked off the ground in our apple cider.”

Jersey Fresh offers these additional tips for visiting a pick-your-own farm:

Remember that when you visit a farm, you are a welcome visitor. Like many farms, it is both the family’s home and business. Respect their property.

Read and obey all signs. Follow directions about where and what to pick.

Supervise children at all times and be careful around ponds and other bodies of water.

Wear shoes, shirts and other proper clothing at all times.

Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a sunscreen and a hat.

Leave all pets at home.

Be sure to place all litter in the proper trash receptacles.

Keep head, arms, hands and legs inside when riding in farm wagons. Remain seated until the wagon stops.

Mood’s Farm Market is located at 901 Bridgeton Pike in Mullica Hill.

Pick-your-own hours are Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Sunday, now through October.

For more information, call 856-478-2500 or visit www.moodsfarmmarket.com.

Contact staff writer Kelly Roncace at 856-686-3647 or kroncace@southjerseymedia.com.