For the first time since we planted it eight years ago our apricot tree is fruiting. Here in Denver there are often late storms that freeze out any blossoms, but not this year. We have fruit almost as large as a tennis balls. When is it ready to pick? I've read that commercial apricots are picked quite green and ripened off the tree and this is why they are dry and mealy. Indeed, this is why I stopped buying apricots decades ago. Ours are very juicy but still a bit hard. The ones that fall on the ground are wonderful but mushy from bruising.
Should I wait to let them get soft on the tree or pick the soft-ish ones now and ripen them in a bag at room temperature? I don't know what to do; we're going to have bushels and bushels...
sa