Clover adds nitrogen to the soil, helps with erosion and is high-quality food for livestock. They also look attractive and help you keep down on the mowing.Ĭlover is probably the most popular cover crop for orchards. Cover CropsĬover crops let you add nitrogen and other nutrients to your orchard. Keep the mulch 6-inches away from the trunk. This will help keep weeds from growing around your trees. On top of the compost, you can place a thick (4-inch) layer of mulch such as straw or wood chips. If your soil is low in phosphorus and/or calcium sprinkle a pound of bone meal around each tree along with the compost. Let the soil microbes do the job for you. You don’t have to worry about digging it in. Keep the compost 6-inches away from the trunk. Place a ring of 2-inch thick compost around your trees every year. This will help the tree get established and develop a network of healthy roots that will feed the tree and help it be productive. In the first three years of an apple growth, it is important to encourage good root growth. Nutrient management is a long term solution. Fertilizing is a short, concentrated dose of nutrients. Nutrient management practices are the steps you will follow to provide your apples with rich, healthy soil to grow in. How to Care for Apples Nutrient Management Without pollinators you won’t get any apples, so plan to put your trees near an area where bees and butterflies visit. Dwarf trees are best off with 10 feet between trees, and a standard size tree needs closer to 20 feet. SpacingĪpples need an average of 15 feet between trees, depending on the variety. Apples need a pH range between 6.0-7.0.Īmend your soil with peat moss, compost, and bonemeal before putting your tree in the ground to give it a healthy foundation. Do a soil test before planting to be sure that your trees will have what they need. Growing apples successfully requires fertile soil. Sun RequirementsĪpples require full sun, at least 8 hours per day. The bigger the hole, the happier your tree will be. Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the diameter of your plant’s roots and at least 2 feet deep. Soak the tree’s roots for a few hours before planting. You can also plant in spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Avoid planting during a hard frost, but otherwise, you can put them in the ground during mid-fall or early winter. You can check an apple pollination chart if you need help. When choosing your plants, pick two of the same type, or two that flower at the same time. The best apples for colder areas (zone 3 and 4) are:Īpple trees require cross-pollination with another tree. The best apples for warm climates include: If you’re interested in baking and cooking, pick: If you want to grow apple trees for cider, try: Check out our eight favorite varieties if you are looking for apples that are all-around superstars. There are hundreds of apple varieties to choose from. You can grow healthy, quality apples using good management strategies and some helpful aids from mother nature. And many agriculturists will tell you its impossible to grow apples without using chemicals and conforming to a ridged spray schedule.ĭon’t listen to them. The fruit has a reputation for being hard to grow – period. In this article, we’re going to look at how to plant and care for your apple trees, with a focus on organic growing.įirst, let me assure you that YES! It’s possible to grow apples organically. Thanks to their popularity, there’s the perfect one out there for anyone. Some varieties need cool weather, and some can tolerate a bit of heat. Some apples are better for storing, others best fresh, and some are ideal for making cider. Now they dominate the world, and new types have been developed to grow in most climates, which is good, because choosing the right variety is an important step in growing apples. They originated in Eastern Europe where they quickly spread, and were common in Ancient Roman and Greek civilizations before making the leap to North America. You can also use the fruit to make vinegar, which isn’t only useful around the house, but healthy for you as well.Īpples have been grown domestically for the past 8,000 years. Whether you crave the citrusy zing of cider or juice, or you can’t live without smooth, creamy applesauce, there’s an endless number of ways to eat them. Growing apples is so rewarding because the trees are delightful to have in the yard, with their delicate, fragrant spring blossoms, and you can use the fruits in tons of different ways.
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