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Have you ever wanted to grow apple trees but didn't know where to start?
You already have an apple tree, but you want to grow, care and harvest apples PROVEN Tips!
TheGardeningDad has some great news!
Below are 10 EASY steps to growing apple trees.
These tips will help you grow bigger, better, and more apples.
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- Understand if you can grow apple trees
Apple trees grow best in USDA hardiness zones 2-9.
They should be planted in clayey, well-drained soil. And the soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.
- Decide where to plant your tree
Most apple trees require full sun, should grow 15 to 30 feet apart (dwarf trees can grow 10 to 15 feet apart), and should be planted in an area protected from gusts of winter wind.
- Buy seedlings/apple trees
Before growing apples, you must first purchase the sapling or tree. The easiest way to do this is throughamazonas.
Seedlings Trees are just over four feet tall and tend to grow better than trees from seed or cuttings.
And since apples do not self-pollinate, you need to buy 2 types of cross-pollinated. Check out the FAQ for more information on the best cross-pollinated apple trees.
- Prepare your planting site
Clear the part of your yard where you want to plant your apple tree with aweed cutterogarden choice.
No matter where you live, there is always a benefit to addinggarden soilocompoundFor that.
Also, make sure you have enough space.mibetween your two apple trees (at least 15-30 feet) so they can grow properly.
- Dig your planting site
The week after your last averageFrost,Start planting your apple tree.
Never plant a fruit tree in the summer, as heat and drought can stunt or potentially kill it.
Dig a hole 6 to 12 inches wider than the root ball and 18 to 24 inches deep. Then water the hole for 30 to 60 seconds.
- plant your apple tree
Place your apple or tree seedling in the hole. fill the hole withgarden soilto the point where the tree trunk meets the ground and thenfertilizeron the floor
Water for 30 to 60 seconds.Do not fertilize or prune during the first year.
- fence around your apple tree
After planting your apple tree, add afencearound your apple tree The fence will protect you from deer, rabbits, and other pests.
You want your fence close enough that a deer can't jump in and out of it, but far enough away that they can't eat your fruits, flowers, or branches.
- Related:How to keep rabbits out of your garden
- Related:How to keep deer out of your yard - Continue to Water
The first year, tend your apple tree one inch per week. Continue this through the spring, summer, and fall.
(Video) Pruning An Apple Tree in 5 Easy StepsIn fact, your tree will benefit more from one long watering per week than several short waterings. This is because the roots absorb water more efficiently.
- straw in autumn
Before the first frost of the year, cover your apple tree once more. Should have 2 to 3 inches of organic matterfertilizer.
Every fall you should re-mulch around the tree.
Do not cover the trunk of your tree.
- cover your tree
Before the first frost of the year, cover your apple tree withburlapto protect you from the first chills of winter and gusts of cold.
Also, wrap the trunk of your tree with aprotective wrap. This will prevent deer and other animals from rubbing against the bark.
In the spring, you can remove the burlap.
How do you grow apples from seed?
1. Growing apples from seed is recommended only for the most experienced gardeners, since only about50% of the seeds will actually germinate.
2. After purchasing yourapple seeds, cover them with a damp paper towel. Then put them in a sealed plastic bag.
3. Store your seeds in the refrigerator at 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit over the winter for 70-80 days.This will allow the seeds time to take root and sprout.
4. For the next 70-80 days, keep the paper towel moist to encourage rapid root and shoot growth.Never let it dry out or your seeds won't take root or sprout.
5. After 80 days (when your seeds have sprouted) prepare aPancompotting mix. Fill your pot with mixed potting soil.
6. Then plant two apple seeds in 1-inch-deep holes. Then cover with soil and water for 15 seconds.
7. Place your pot under agrow lightor through a window. Keep it at room temperature.65 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit is idealoomtemperature.
8. Spray your seeds 3 times a day and always keep the soil moist. If the soil turns light brown, spray again. After 3-4 weeks, you will notice that your seeds should germinate or pop in the ground.
9. Once your apple tree is between 6 inches and 1 foot tall, transfer it outside.Plant it in a hole twice the size of the root ball.Cover with garden soil and mulch.
How do you grow apple trees in pots?
Growing apple trees in pots is only recommended for certain types of apples.
1. First, buy your apple tree fromamazonas.Dwarf trees are generally the best type of apple tree for containers. Also, self-pollinating apple trees do best in containers.
2.then buy acontainerthat's at least twice the size of your apple tree root ball.This will allow your tree to grow faster.
It should be noted that you can read about different types of root size grafts for potted apple trees,but for most novice gardeners, you don't need to worry about that.
3. Fill your container to 80%potting soil. Then place your apple tree in the pot. And then fill the pot with the rest of the soil.Do not cover the trunk of your tree.
4. Immediately after planting your apple tree, you should water it for 30 seconds.Continue watering your apple tree once a day for 30 seconds.
5. Keep your apple tree outside.The best place is an area with full sun.. If you can keep it close to your home, it will help protect it from diseases and pests.
6.In winter, you should keep your apple tree outside and cover it.burlapto protect you from the cold and wind.
If your winter stays below 20 degrees Fahrenheit every day, you should move it inside in early spring.
7. You can fertilize, prune and protect your plant from diseases and pests in the same way as you would if it were planted in the ground.
What is cross pollination of apple trees?
To be more successful growing apples, it's important to understand which trees pollinate each other.
And while self-pollinating apple trees are great, they tend to produce far fewer apples unless they cross-pollinate.
Below is one of the most comprehensive cross pollination charts.
I have personally pollinated Honeycrisp and Fuji apples with great success.
What supplies are needed to grow apple trees?
The beauty of growing apple trees for beginners is that you need very few supplies. For the most success growing apple trees, I recommend purchasing the following supplies:
–apple seeds
–apple seedlings
–potting soilogarden soil
–Fertilizer
–spray bottleoWatering can
–organic pesticide&organic insecticide
–grow light
–pruners
–Related: The best pruners for gardening
How do you care for apple trees?
Depending on the type of apple tree you plant, the care you must have can vary from easy to difficult. In general, apple trees are more difficult to care for than other fruit trees.
Here are some tips that you should take advantage of:
1.As your sapling or baby tree begins to grow, you should water it every 10 to 14 days.
Mature trees can be watered once a week. You should provide your tree with about 1/2 inch of water per watering.
2.You should spray your apple tree with ainsecticideoorganic appduring dormancy, petal fall, flowering, and early summer to prevent larvae, moths, and aphids.
You must apply aneem oilonce during the dormant season, which is later in the winter before buds begin to appear.
During the late dormant season, when the buds start to appear, you should apply one more round of neem oil.
Just before any type of bud cluster turns pink or colored, you should use an organic insecticide and fungicide (see garden supplies section for recommendations).
When your flowers bloom, DO NOT USE INSECTICIDE or PESTICIDE.
About 3 to 4 weeks after the flowers bloom and the fruit begins to set, you should apply your insecticide and fungicide every 3 weeks through August or early September.
I recommend pursuing Washington State Universityspray programfor Complete step-by-step guide to spraying insecticides and pesticides.
3.DO NOT prune your seedlings and saplings.
4. When your tree is 3-4 years old, you should fertilize it. Fertilize your apple tree each spring. You must fertilize it with a10 – 10 – 10 mistura NPK.
Do not fertilize your apple trees in the fall, summer, or winter.
5. Finally, apply a fungicide to your fruit tree in early spring and as needed if you notice scab, blight, or mildew on your apple tree.
I recommend following the University of New Hampshirefumigation program.
What are common apple tree pests?
While apples are some of the most delicious fruits, they are also the most prone to pests.
Some of the most common pests of apple trees are:
- Apple Maggot, Coddling Moth, Aphids, Red Spider Mites, Leafhoppers, Japanese Beatles y Green Worms.
To avoid insect infestation on your apple trees, it is recommended to apply ainsecticideafter the last frost and constantly throughout the summer.
When should I fertilize my apple tree?
You should fertilize your apple tree after it has grown and matured for 3-4 years.
You should fertilize your apple tree after the last snowfall, but before your trees start to bud. This normally occurs 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
You should use a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10 – 10 – 10.
Before you fertilize your apple tree, be sure to test the pH level. The pH level of the soil should be neutral. If it's already neutral, don't compost or stick on a slow-release compost.
Also, never use weeds or fertilizer, as this can stunt the growth of fruit on your tree.
Using a slow-release fertilizer is also recommended because you'll only need to use it once or twice a season, rather than a quick-release fertilizer that requires weekly applications.
How to harvest apple?
The apple is one of the easiest fruits to harvest.
Simple, follow these steps:
1. Wait until fall to pick your apples. This can be anywhere from September to early November, depending on the type of apple tree you grow.
2. Your apples are ready to harvest when they are fully red, yellow, or green (depending on the type of apple you grow).
3. Your apple is ready to pick when it is a little smaller than the size of your fist and hard to touch.
The nice thing about apples is that if they look ready to pick, you can pick them.
4. If the apples fall on the ground between September and November, you should inspect them. Most apples are still edible even if they fall from the trees.
What are the uses of apple trees?
Apples are one of the most versatile fruits you can grow.
Below are some of the many uses for which you can use Apple.
– Eating raw apples
- Apple sauce
– torta
- Meatballs
- dehydrated apple
– Cidra
- Cinnamon apple
- Sweet Apple
What are the best apples for cooking?
With so many uses for apples, you may be wondering which one is best for your specific use.
Below is a quick guide to the best apples for different uses.
1.The best apples to eat raw
– Honeycrisp, Fuji, Cortland, Empire, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Crispin, Goldrush, Braeburn, Gala, Mcintosh
2.The best apples for making applesauce
– The softer varieties are the best. You must use Fuji, Mcintosh, Golden Delicious
3.The best apples for apple pie
– Honeycrisp, Bramley, Northern Spy, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Braeburn
4.The Best Apples for Apple Fritters
– Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Jonathan, Gala
5.Best Apples for Apple Crisp
– Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Jonathan, Gala
6.The best apples for apple cider
– Gala, Fuji, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jonathan, Mcintosh
7.The best apples for sweet apples.
-Gala, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Mcintosh
8.Best Apples for Cinnamon Apples
-Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Jonathan, Gala
How to prune an apple tree?
Pruning an apple tree is as much an art as it is a science. There are several important factors to remember before pruning an apple tree.
You should only prune your apple tree after it has grown and matured for 3 to 4 years.
And NEVER prune more than 1/3 of your tree a year.
Not only that, but you should only prune your apple tree in spring. Doing this at any other time of the year could stunt its growth or even kill it.
Some of the suggested pruning cuts include suckers, broken branches, downward-growing branches, rubbed branches, shady indoor branches, competing leaders, narrow groins, and whorls.
To prune an apple tree as effectively as possible, follow the steps below:
1. First remove all dead, diseased or broken branches. Discard them immediately.
2. Then remove all the water sprouts. Water suckers are upright-growing branches that arise from the trunk and do not have lateral branches.
3. Remove branches that form a V. This cannot support the weight of the fruit.
4. Remove branches that cross each other, grow inward, or rub against each other. These usually cause fungus or disease.
5. Always prune your branches back to the growth bud. This will allow you to control the direction of growth, while promoting more fruit.
How do I train my apple tree to grow?
Before you decide to train your apple, you need to decide how you want it to grow.
To properly train your apple tree to grow, you'll need to prune, cut, bend, and tie the branches in the direction you want them to grow.
It is recommended that you cut as little as possible if you are training your branches to grow the pattern you prefer.
It is also recommended to start training your apple tree, which may be necessary for several years after the initial planting of the tree.
The most important factor to remember when training your apple tree is that you must train it around a central leader.This means training it around a specific branch that you want to be the trunk of your tree.
For more information on the proper way to train your apple tree to grow, I highly recommend visiting Clemson University.training guide.
How to thin my fruit tree?
Thinning apple trees is part art and part science.
To be most successful at slimming down the fruit, you need to consider several things:
– The thinning of the apples should be when the apples are small. This usually takes place in mid-May.
– As a general rule, your apples should be 6 inches apart from your branches. You'll want to thin your apple tree so the fruit doesn't get any closer than that.
– Not only that, but your fruit tree will naturally thin out by dropping poorly pollinated, infected, and infested fruit over the summer.
-There are two ways to thin apple trees.
You can use a pole, which is ideal for larger trees.
Or you can use your hand. Using your hand is the easiest and safest way to secure other apples to the branches.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you should have a better idea of ​​how to grow apple trees in 10 easy steps.
These steps are not only easy, but also quick and proven. Best of all, all types of gardeners, including novice apple growers, will find success with them.
Not only that, but now you should have a better idea about:
- How to grow apple trees from seed and in pots
- What pollinate apple trees?
- What supplies are needed to grow apple trees?
- How to care for your apple trees, fertilize and spray common pests.
- How you can prune apple trees, spindly fruit, and train your tree
- Apple picking, what are the best uses and what are the best apples for different uses
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