Apple
Malus domestica · Rosaceae
- Plant outFrom 4 weeks before the last frost until the last frostMar 13 – Apr 16
- Plant in autumn4–8 weeks before the first autumn frostAug 30 – Oct 3
- Space2.5 –9 m (8–30 ft) apart
- HarvestAfter 2–8 years
Description
The apple is a pomaceous fruit cultivated worldwide and belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is typically round, ranging from green to red to yellow, and has a sweet to tart flavor depending on the variety.
Growing Conditions
2–10 m (7–33 ft) tall, 2–9 m (7–30 ft) wide
- Smallest
- Largest
Full sun, 6+ hours
Tolerates part sun
Moderate
Keep evenly moist, not soggy.
Ideal 18–27 °C (64–81 °F)
Survives down to −40 °C (−40 °F).
pH 6–7 · acidic to neutral
Where it Grows
Planting
When to Plant
- Spring (after the last frost)
- Fall (before the first hard frost)
How to Plant
- Choose a well-drained site with full sun.
- Prepare a hole twice the size of the root ball.
- Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the graft union is above soil level.
- Backfill with soil and compact gently.
- Water thoroughly.
Growth Timeline
- Establishing 2 years
- First harvest possible years 2–8
Planting Calendar
- Plant outdoors: from 4 weeks before the last frost until the last frost
- Autumn planting: 4–8 weeks before the first autumn frost
- Plant out: Mar 13 – Apr 16
- Autumn planting: Aug 30 – Oct 3
Care
Care Calendar
- Prune · Feb 13 – Apr 2
While dormant, remove dead or crossing wood and maintain an open, well-spaced canopy. - Feed · Mar 27 – May 14
In early spring, feed only if a soil test or weak growth indicates a need. - Mulch · Apr 10 – May 14
Spread 2–3 inches of mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk. - Thin · May 8 – Jun 25
After fruit set, leave one apple per cluster, spaced about 6–8 inches apart. - Protect · Oct 11 – Nov 14
Fit young trunks with guards to prevent winter rodent damage.
Watering
- Water deeply weekly during dry spells.
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Weeding
- Regularly clear weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
Mulching
- Apply a 3-4 inch layer of organic mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Fertilizing
- Use a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
- An annual application of compost is also beneficial.
Thinning
- Thin young fruits when they are around the size of a marble to promote better size and quality.
Pest Management
- Monitor for common pests such as aphids and codling moths.
- Use organic pesticides or traps as needed.
Harvesting
- Harvest apples when they are fully colored and slightly firm.
- Gently twist off fruit from the tree to avoid damage.
Growing in Containers
Grows well in a pot of at least 50 litres (13 US gallons), with drainage holes. Best kept outdoors.
Propagation
By grafting
- Obtain a compatible apple rootstock.
- Collect dormant scion wood from the variety you want to grow.
- Graft the scion onto the rootstock in late winter or early spring, aligning their cambium layers.
- Bind and seal the graft.
- Remove shoots that grow from below the graft.
From seed
- Remove and rinse seeds from a ripe apple.
- Chill the seeds in a moist medium in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 weeks.
- Sow the seeds in pots of seed-starting mix.
- Keep the mix moist while the seedlings grow.
- Transplant the seedlings after frost, remembering that they will not grow true to the parent variety.
Companion Plants
Good neighbors
- Crabapple: A crabapple that flowers at the same time can supply pollen for apple varieties that need cross-pollination.
Keep apart from
- Eastern red cedar: This juniper is an alternate host for cedar-apple rust, which can infect nearby apple trees.
Common Problems
- Spots on leaves
- Yellowing leaves
- Leaves dropping
- Cracked or split fruit
Apple scab is a fungal disease of apple trees caused by Venturia inaequalis. It also affects crabapples. The fungus…
- Rotting fruit
- Insects visible on the plant
Codling moth is a pest of apples, pears, quince, and walnuts. Its caterpillars feed inside developing fruit or nuts…
- Wilting
- Bleached or scorched patches
- Flowers or buds dropping
- Rotting fruit
Fire blight is a bacterial disease of plants in the rose family, especially apple, pear, quince, and some ornamental…
- Yellowing leaves
- Sticky residue on leaves
- Black sooty coating
- Curled or cupped leaves
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed by piercing plants and drawing out sap. The group includes many…
- White powdery coating
- Yellowing leaves
- Curled or cupped leaves
- Distorted new growth
Powdery mildew is a group of fungal diseases, not a single species. Different fungi infect different hosts, including…
- Apple Scab
- Fire Blight
- Cedar Apple Rust
- Powdery Mildew
Nutrition
Nutritional Benefits
- Low in calories
- High in dietary fiber
- Rich in antioxidants
Nutritional Composition (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 52 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fiber | 2.4 g |
| Sugars | 10 g |
| Protein | 0.3 g |
| Vitamin C | 4.6 mg (8% DV) |
| Potassium | 107 mg (3% DV) |
Varieties
A good home-orchard choice with strong resistance to apple scab.
- disease resistant
- crisp
Its firm fruit stores well, but it needs a sufficiently long growing season.
- disease resistant
- late
Its popular fruit rewards careful thinning to limit irregular crops.
- very crisp
- juicy
A widely grown fresh-eating apple that ripens relatively early.
- sweet
- crisp
It produces firm apples but needs a long season to ripen fully.
- sweet
- late
- stores well
Its green fruit suits eating and baking in areas with long, warm seasons.
- tart
- late
- stores well
This widely available apple is useful for both fresh eating and cooking.
- sweet
- versatile
It does well in cooler regions, though its fruit softens quickly in storage.
- aromatic
- early
More about varieties
- Red Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Fuji
- Gala
- Honeycrisp
- Braeburn
Health Benefits
- May help improve heart health.
- Can aid in weight management.
- Promotes gut health due to high fiber content.
- Linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Fun Facts
- Apples float in water because 25% of their volume is air.
- There are over 7,500 varieties of apples grown worldwide.
- The science of apple cultivation and breeding is known as pomology.
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