Apples

Planting apples

Plant bare-root trees in early spring while dormant. Most apples need a second compatible variety nearby to set fruit; choose a dwarf rootstock for small spaces.

Planting details

• Keep the graft union 2 to 3 inches above soil
• Spacing: 8 to 10 feet for dwarfs, up to 25 feet for standards
• Stake newly planted trees in windy sites

Growing requirements

Apples need full sun, well-drained soil, and winter chill to flower well. Expect to thin fruit in June for larger apples and to prevent branch breakage.

Harvesting and care

Prune in late winter to open the canopy and remove crossing or dead wood. Apples are ready when they twist off easily and seeds have browned.

Common mistakes

• Planting one tree and expecting fruit, since most varieties need cross-pollination
• Skipping annual pruning, which leads to shaded, unproductive wood
• Leaving all fruit to mature, which breaks limbs and produces small apples

Companion plants

Underplant with chives or comfrey rather than turf, which competes for water and nitrogen at the drip line.