An apple a day - a guide to growing apple trees
varieties next to each other. Once you have decided where your tree will go you need
to pick a rootstock that suits where you have chosen. Apple trees rarely grow from seed they need to be grown from rootstock instead. Your local garden centre will be able to guide you with choosing a rootstock. If you have decided to buy just one tree ensure it is a self
fertile one like. When growing more than one apple tree there is much
more variety as these need to be pollinated. Apple trees cross pollinate with other apple trees that flower at the same time so if you are buying more than one ensure they are compatible.
Planting is possible at any time of year but is best done C
hoosing which apple to grow depends entirely on where it will be planted. Large gardens means you can
choose a variety that will grow very tall and have lots of produce. For pots and containers dwarf varieties are the best
option. They will still give you a harvest albeit not as large as a fully grown tree, but you will be able to place more
between late autumn and early spring. So now is the ideal time to plant. If you are putting your tree in the garden you must prepare the soil. Whilst preparing your soil the roots of your tree need to be wrapped in damp straw or cloth and not allowed to dry out. Dig a trench that is deep enough to keep the roots frost free and work in manure or compost ensuring no large bits are left. Drainage is key to growing fruit trees as they do not like waterlogged soil. If your soil is not free draining it may be necessary to add sharp sand. Plant your tree to the same depth as the pot it came in. When planting in the garden it is necessary to stake the plant and it is easier to do this before you put the tree in. Push the stake into the soil so that the top is below the branches of the tree. Tie it to the tree with a layer of foam in between to stop friction. Hold the tree upright and put the compost around the
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roots firming as you go. Ensure the join of the rootstock and the top growth is above the level of compost in the pot otherwise the top growth may root and grow vigorously. Add a fertiliser such as potassium rich tomato liquid feed and water well. Apple trees like sunny sheltered spots out of the wind. Add fertiliser weekly or add controlled release tablets in the compost from mid spring to late summer. If you are leaving in pots, they will need a new layer of compost annually and the trees will need to be repotted every couple of years. Do not allow your trees to become pot bound, take away any loose material and cut away any thick roots.
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38 March 2011
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