Apple Trees, the Complete Growing Guide
A Brief History of Apple trees
There is something distinctly American about apples, we pack them in lunches, give them to our teachers, and some of us eat them daily to keep the doctor away. Apple trees did not always produce edible apples, though. John Chapman (a.k.a. Johnny Appleseed) brought apple tree orchards to the American frontier, and by foregoing grafting methods and planting by seed, he brought us the great American apple.
"From Chapman's vast planting of nameless cider apple seeds came some of the great American cultivars of the 19th century." Michael Pollan, The Botany of Desire.
What to know before you plant an apple tree
Climate.
Do your research! Where you live plays a role in anything you may plant, especially apple trees.
Make sure you are in the correct growing zone before purchasing.
Apple trees grow in all temperate zones, but apples grow in Zones 3 to 9.
Apple trees require a specific amount of chilling to produce blooms at a normal time in the spring.
The USDA hardiness zones map is a great tool.
What kind of tree do I plant?
Begin by looking up which varieties are native to your area, and which varieties thrive in your area.
A great way to do this is to look up a map of hardiness zones.
Choose a variety based on your growing region.
What you need to know to get started
For planting in the ground:
General supplies include: Shovels, tree pruners, and wood mulch.
Plant on the north side of the house, in a spot where the tree will have at least six hours of sun exposure daily
Choose a spot where the soil is well-drained, and the tree is not competing with other trees for nutrients.
For growing in containers
A self pollinating variety
Begin with a standard 5-6 gallon pot, then you can gradually move to larger pots when the tree stops vertical growth.
Sunlight! Apple trees love sunlight and can be moved to the shade in hotter summer climates.
Be sure to use well draining soil, and to water regularly.
For more information, Cornell’s Guide to Growing Fruit at Home is a great resource.
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