| Apple trees are easy to grow fruit trees, given the | | | | varieties, with overlapping blossom times, are needed |
| right climatic conditions. They produce wonderful | | | | for pollination. I strongly recommend you buy young |
| tasty fruit and come in many varieties. When you | | | | stock from a nursery, (growing from seed is possible |
| grow your own you are no longer restricted to what | | | | but it takes too long), where your supplier will help |
| the commercial growers or supermarkets decide to | | | | you with your choice. The transfer of pollen from |
| provide, you can select a variety to suit your taste. | | | | one tree to another is mainly undertaken by bees so |
| Apple trees like at least 6 hours of sunshine during | | | | try to encourage these insects into your garden and |
| summer, but bear in mind they require a spell in the | | | | refrain from using insecticides during the period that |
| dormant period, where the winter temperature is in a | | | | they are active. |
| range of 32ºF-45ºF. These chilling requirements will | | | | November is the ideal time to plant, but you can plant |
| encourage normal growth in the growing season. The | | | | as late as March. Apple trees are usually sold bare |
| northern hemisphere is where apple trees thrive; | | | | rooted and when selecting the variety you want, |
| they grow best in cool to cold climates with a mild | | | | make sure they look healthy. Check the roots to |
| summer and cold winter. You will find that it is | | | | make sure they are nice and moist then keep them |
| standard procedure for garden centers to follow the | | | | that way and plant as soon as possible. |
| guidelines set up by the United States Department of | | | | Dig a hole big enough to accommodate the roots, |
| Agriculture, to label their trees, giving you the most | | | | then place the tree in the hole spreading the roots |
| appropriate zones where the plants they sell will be | | | | out so that they are not entangled. Back fill with soil |
| successful. | | | | pressing down firmly to ensure the roots stay in |
| Because of the space taken up by apple trees it is | | | | contact with the soil. Make sure that you keep the |
| necessary to plan carefully before action is taken, | | | | graft well above the soil level. You can support the |
| and remember they are in place for a great number | | | | tree with a strong stake at this stage (until it's |
| of years; there are recordings of some being 200 | | | | established), then give it a good drink of water after |
| years old. From time of planting it can take up to 10 | | | | you have bedded them in. A layer of mulch placed |
| years for the tree to reach its maximum yield. Apple | | | | around the tree will help to retain moisture and |
| trees are a deciduous fruit tree, meaning that they | | | | supress weeds. To protect from abnormal |
| lose their leaves in winter, so they can be used in a | | | | temperatures in winter, raise the mulch higher up the |
| position where summer shade or winter sun is | | | | young tree or insulate with old sacks for this cold |
| needed in the garden. Soil preparation and position is | | | | period only. |
| essential to reap the rewards an apple tree will give | | | | When your tree starts to bear fruit, remove apples |
| you. They are quite tolerant where soil conditions are | | | | from the tree by firmly holding the attachment of |
| concerned, however if you prepare in advance a plot | | | | the stem and gently twisting the apple till it comes |
| which has good drainage along with a decent type of | | | | off. They are best eaten straight from the tree for |
| loam soil and a pH reading of 6.5, this will provide the | | | | optimum taste but if you're intentions is to store the |
| ideal conditions for a good supply of apples and a | | | | apples, leave the stem attached, as it helps preserve |
| healthy tree. | | | | them, and keep in a well ventilated cool, dark, moist |
| Apple trees consist of two parts: the scion and the | | | | location. You will often find that a lot of the fruit will |
| rootstock which are grafted together to form the | | | | ripen together but one way of avoiding this glut is by |
| tree. The scion is the top part that forms the | | | | having apple trees that fruit at different times, so |
| branches, leaves, flowers and fruit while the | | | | long as there is that overlap period when they are |
| rootstock determines the size of the tree and it's | | | | blossoming to assist pollination. |
| resistance to drought, pests and diseases. The trees | | | | It is worthwhile learning to prune your trees as they |
| can be dwarf, which grow 8-10ft, semi dwarf, 10-15ft | | | | need to be shaped to allow correct growth. If you |
| or standard trees, which grow 20+ feet yet the fruit | | | | are interested in increasing your own stock then you |
| produced on all trees can be the same size. | | | | may want to consider grafting though you may need |
| Most varieties of apple trees are self-sterile so two | | | | certain skills or experience to attempt this. |