How To Grow Apples

Growing apples is a rewarding endeavor, but a long-term commitment. It will take up to ten years from the time you plant those little trees until they reach maximum apple production capacity.

Growing Basics
Apple trees need a cold season and do not do well in climates that are warm year round, so Southern Oregon fits the bill.

Photo: sxc.hu/oeildenuit

To grow apples, you will need an area large enough for at least two trees planted about 8 to 15 feet apart, because you'll need two trees of different varieties to ensure pollination. If you don't have space for two trees, consider buying a grafted tree that bears multiple varieties of apples. This type of tree will be "self-pollinating" because it will pollinate using its different varieties.

Planting
It is best to start with young trees from a nursery. If you choose to plant apple seeds, it will take the seeds two to three years to grow into saplings.

Apple trees grow best in sunny locations with loose, well-drained soil. The best time to plant your trees is from December to March, though around here, you'll see bare-root fruit trees cropping up in nurseries and other stores (Bimart and Costco usually have some choices) around the end of January. About a month before planting the tree, dig a two-foot-deep hole and add as much organic matter as possible to ensure the soil is rich and crumbly when the tree is planted. You may add some fertilizer, but do not over-fertilize.

Pruning
Nurseries sell young un-branched apple "whips" or more mature and expensive small apple trees with branches. If you are planting a whip, cut it back to no more than two feet to encourage branching. If you are planting small trees, choose a few well-spaced branches around the tree and prune away the remaining branches. Prune in cold weather to ensure the sap will be directed into the remaining branches, making them stronger. After pruning, treat the cuts with a wound-cutting paste unless the tree was vaccinated against silverleaf disease. (Ask the nursery if the tree was vaccinated when you purchase it.)

You can also “tip” the ends of the branches in the summer to encourage even more branching.

You will need to stake the young trees securely. Make sure you tie the trunk loosely to the stake to avoid the tie cutting into the trunk. It is best to use the plastic ties sold at the nurseries but you could also use twine or cloth. Avoid tying with wire, which will cut into the trunk as the tree grows.

Apple Tree Maintenance
Once your little saplings are in the ground, buy fruit tree fertilizer spikes to give them a steady supply of food. Drive the stakes in the ground according to the directions on the package.

After the trees have grown 2 or 3 inches, you need to shape the tree. Make sure all main branches are pointing up (you can support them with stakes from below if need be) so the new branches grow vertically.

It is also important to remove excess flowers. Often each bud will have three to five flowers. For the best fruit, remove two of every three flowers.

Though our winters aren't terribly cold here, it's still a good idea to give the trees a good mulching to conserve water and insulate the roots.

In the spring, fertilize the tree with its first watering and again about four times a year until the tree is 6 years old. After 6 years, you will only need to fertilize occasionally.

Harvesting Your Apples
The apple will last longer if you leave the stem attached when you pick it. You can store the apples in crates in cool rooms for the entire winter if they are well ventilated. It is best if the apples are not touching when stored, to increase air flow and cut down on mold. (The saying "one bad apple spoils the whole barrel" wasn't made up for no reason, after all.)

Looking for more tips? Check out this video: