A garden without apple trees is a sad one. These iconic trees bring with them a certain charm that can be difficult to replicate, and the fact that you can use the apples for baking or juicing only adds to their appeal. Growing apple trees in your garden isn’t as difficult as it may seem; all you need is a bit of know-how and some patience.
Choose Your Apple Tree Carefully
Not all apple trees are created equal, so it’s important to choose the right tree for your climate and soil type. If you live in an area with short summers, opt for early-ripening varieties like ‘Braeburn’ or ‘Gala’, which will give you delicious fruits before the cold weather sets in. If your summers are long and mild, late-ripening varieties like ‘Granny Smith’ or ‘Golden Delicious’ will fare better.
why do apples grow in cold climates?
Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world, and they grow in a wide range of climates. But why do apples grow best in cold climates? One reason is that apples need a certain amount of chill hours to set fruit. Chill hours are the number of hours that temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps the trees to go into dormancy, which is essential for fruit production. In warmer climates, apples may not get enough chill hours, and as a result, they will produce less fruit. Another reason why apples grow best in cold climates is that they need a period of freezing temperatures to break down the pectin in their cell walls. This process, known as gelation, helps to make apple slices look shiny and prevents them from losing their shape when cooked. Without gelation, apples would be mealy and mushy. So, while apples can technically grow in any climate, they tend to produce the best fruit when grown in cold climates with lots of chill hours.
Growing Apples
APPLES, Choice of Varieties. Apple trees should be planted in well broken and sharply drained soil. Dig a hole some 3 feet in diameter and 15 inches deep. But the actual planting hole need be less say, 18 inches by 12 inches deep.
Spread the roots out naturally outwards and downward, claw-like, over a mound of soft clod-free soil. Cover the roots and fill in some 5 or 6 inches of soil, firming it well by foot pressure. The ground should be slightly moist, but not damp, or wet, at planting time.
Pour in a bucket of water, distributed evenly, to soak and settle. When all the water has drained through, tumble in the remaining topsoil loosely and leave it so. No more watering should be necessary for weeks, unless dry conditions prevail. Winter is the best times for planting, preferably starting in late Autumn.
Most of the choicest apples flavor cool climates and good soil. The Delicious, Jonathan, and Rome Beauty dessert types are unsurpassed anywhere. Granny Smith reigns supreme among the cooking apples. If the climate and conditions are right these should be first choice for home garden and orchard.
Along the warm coasts, where fruit fly control is so arduous, it is best to stick to early ripening varieties. These are Gravenstein (or Carpenter) and Carrington, a red striped tart-flavored fruit. Lord Nelson is the early cooker. McIntosh’s Red, coming in a little later, with Fanny (Pomme de Neige) for dessert.
Prepare The Soil
Once you have chosen your apple tree, prepare the soil by digging a hole about two feet deep and wide enough to fit the root ball of the tree inside. Add lots of compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and promote growth; this will help ensure that your apple tree has all the nutrients it needs to thrive in its new home.
Plant Your Tree
When planting your tree, make sure that the roots are spread out evenly throughout the hole; this will encourage even growth once planted. Fill in around the roots with soil until they are completely covered and tamp down firmly but gently with your hands so there are no air pockets left behind. Water deeply after planting and add mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture during summer months.
Bloom & Set Fruit
Your new apple tree should start blooming within two years of planting – usually between April and June and setting fruit soon after that. When pruning your apple tree, aim to keep four main branches at waist level (if standing beside it) while removing any dead branches or shoots that grow lower than 18 inches from ground level; this will encourage more vigor in later years when it’s time for harvesting! Conclusion: Growing an apple tree is both a rewarding experience and a great way to increase biodiversity in your garden—not to mention providing delicious fruit for baking or juicing! All it takes is a bit of know-how, some preparation, and lots of patience; with these tips under your belt, you should be able to successfully grow an apple tree in no time at all.
