How to Grow Apples

Apple trees are a cherished addition to any garden, offering a bountiful harvest of fresh, delicious fruit. These trees thrive in a variety of garden sizes, thanks to dwarfing rootstocks, and can even be grown in containers. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, cultivating apples in your own garden can be a rewarding experience. Here’s how to grow apples from planting to harvest.

Everything you need to know about growing apples, from planting tips to harvesting advice, in this comprehensive Grow Guide.

Choosing the Right Apple Rootstock

Apple trees are grafted onto rootstocks that control the size and growth of the tree. Select a rootstock based on your available space and desired tree size:

• M27 (very dwarfing)
• M9 & M26 (dwarfing)
• MM106 (semi-dwarf)
• MM111 (vigorous)

Best Time to Plant Apple Trees

Plant apple trees during winter for bare-rooted varieties, as this is the most affordable and widely available option. These trees can be planted from October to March. For pot-grown apple trees, they can be planted year-round, but summer plantings require more frequent watering to help the tree settle in.

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How to Plant Apple Trees

• Select a site with full sun and enough space for branches to spread. If you’re working with a small garden, consider growing the tree against a wall or fence as a fan, cordon, or espalier.
• Prepare the soil and dig a square hole.
• Hammer in a tree stake, position the tree, and check that the ‘graft point’ is above soil level. This bulge is where the rootstock was grafted onto the tree.
• Fill the hole with soil, ensuring it’s firm around the roots and water the tree thoroughly.

Caring for Your Apple Tree

Proper care ensures long-term success for your apple tree.

• Fertilizing: Apply balanced fertilizer in late winter to encourage healthy growth. In spring, add compost mulch around the base to improve soil quality and retain moisture.
• Pruning: Prune during summer to transform leafy shoots into fruiting ones. Remove excess shoots and thin the fruit for even spacing. Winter pruning removes any congested or poorly placed branches, helping the tree get more sunlight and air.

How to Harvest Apples

Apples typically ripen from late summer to fall, with most varieties ready in September and October. To harvest, gently lift the apple in your hand. If it doesn’t detach easily, leave it for another week.

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How to Store Apples

Store apples in a cool, frost-free area. Late-season apples tend to store longer. Keep them in clear poly bags with small pinholes to allow airflow. Check them regularly for damage.

Dealing with Apple Tree Pests and Problems

• Use grease bands on the trunk to trap winter moths and prevent aphid infestations.
• For woolly aphids, scrub off the white fluff or prune the affected areas.
• Pheromone traps can be used in May to catch codling moths.

Popular Apple Varieties

Choose varieties that flower at similar times for successful cross-pollination. Some popular apple varieties include:

• ‘Arthur Turner’ – A tangy, early-maturing cooker.
• ‘Benenden Early’ – Large, sweet dessert apples, available in late summer.
• ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ – A classic cooking apple with good storage potential.
• ‘Egremont Russet’ – A late-ripening variety with a unique flavor.
• ‘Ellison’s Orange’ – Aromatic, best eaten fresh in fall.
• ‘James Grieve’ – Versatile, heavy cropper, suitable for both cooking and eating.
• ‘Spartan’ – A crisp, juicy variety with bright red skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take hardwood apple tree cuttings?
Apple trees are typically grafted, as cuttings are difficult to root. The most reliable method of propagation is grafting onto a rootstock.

Can I move a young apple tree in spring?
Yes, young apple trees can be moved in early spring before bud break. Their chances of successful transplantation are higher than with older trees.

Can you get apple tree cuttings to root in water?
Apple cuttings are best rooted in a moist growing medium rather than water. Grafting is still the preferred propagation method for apples.

How can I save a very large fallen apple tree?
If the roots are intact and the tree is not a hazard, it may be worth trying to save the tree by covering exposed roots with soil and trimming damaged branches.