Actually, Apples thrive best in
hardiness zones three to eight, with certain varieties faring better in
specific zones than others. Central and Northern regions should plant apples in
early spring, when the soil begins to warm; regions with milder winters may also
see success planting apples in early fall.
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How to Grow Apple Tree
Pick the site: Apple trees need full
sun, a good amount of space, loamy soil, and a neutral soil pH. A soil test can
be obtained for a small fee through your local USDA cooperative extension
office. In addition to identifying the proportions of clay, sand, silt, and
organic matter in your soil, you’ll learn if your pH level is off and whether
you have any nutrient deficiencies. You’ll also receive instructions to correct
any imbalances.
Prepare the site: A week before
planting, clear any debris or weeds. Correct soil imbalances as needed, but do
not over-fertilize, as this can be too intense for new roots.
Acquire root stock: Though apple
trees can be started indoors from seed, seedlings take six to ten years to grow
to a producing size. Root stocks or young trees can both be purchased at a
garden center or nursery or online.
Plant: Dig a planting hole twice the
width of the root system and about 2 feet deep, making sure the soil is nice
and loose around the edges. Fan the roots out over the bottom of the hole, eliminating
air pockets by gently tamping down around each root as you backfill with soil.
If planting a root stock, be sure the graft union—a swollen-looking raised
bump—is a minimum of 2 inches above the topsoil. If planting a tree from a
container, and the root ball has dried out, soak it in a bucket of water for 24
hours prior to planting.
How Far Apart Should Apple Trees Be
Planted?
Distance is crucial for healthy apple
trees. Space full-size trees fifteen to eighteen feet apart, and dwarfing
rootstock four to eight feet apart so they can spread out as they mature.
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Tips for Growing Apple Trees
Even though apple trees are not
necessarily high maintenance, they still benefit from active care.
Water: Water regularly, but don’t
soak. Apples like a moist, well-drained soil, but overwatering can lead to root
rot.
Provide support: In order to support
heavier fruit production later, young trees need help establishing a sturdy
frame of branches. Use trellises or posts, trained into a central leader
system—a pruning technique that establishes one main trunk with supporting
branches sprouting from either side.
Practice companion planting: Apple
trees require cross-pollination (with the exception of many self-pollinating
varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, and Cortland) between different cultivars that
bloom on the same schedule. Ensure your garden attracts plenty of pollinators
by planting attractive, aromatic plants nearby. Learn more about companion
planting in our complete guide here.
Mulch: Mulching can help with
moisture retention and soil temperature, but be sure to remove it in fall after
the harvest to prevent mice from nesting in it over the winter and destroying
the bark.
Prune: There’s no need to over-prune
during the growing season, but do remove any dead or broken branches as you see
them. Regular yearly pruning provides good air circulation, which can curb
diseases and allows the leaves to dry out quicker after a rain.
Control pests: Though there are
disease and pest-resistant varieties, apple trees are vulnerable to a number of
threats: fire blight, apple maggots, codling moths, and fungal diseases like
apple scab. Companion planting can help repel insects like aphids and mites,
and apple maggots can be eradicated with a hanging sticky trap or two, but some
trees may require an annual pesticide spraying to keep most bacterial diseases
at bay.
How to Harvest Apples
Depending on the variety, apples can
be harvested in the late summer through the fall. Pick when apples have reached
the deepest shade of their cultivar color. They should separate from the stem
with little resistance; simply twist and pull up!
Put overripe or softer apples to use
in the kitchen: Turn them into applesauce, compotes, apple butter, and more.
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