Growing apple trees in your garden is a rewarding experience that provides delicious fruit year after year. Whether you're planting a single tree or an entire orchard, apple trees are relatively easy to grow and care for. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing apple trees, from choosing the right variety to planting and maintaining healthy trees.
Why Grow Apple Trees?
Apple trees are one of the most popular fruit trees to grow in the UK, and for good reason:
- Delicious fruit: Apple trees produce tasty fruit that you can enjoy fresh, bake into pies, or turn into cider.
- Beautiful blooms: In the spring, apple trees provide a stunning display of blossoms, adding beauty to your garden.
- Long-lasting: Once established, apple trees can live for decades, providing fruit year after year.
- Variety of options: With a wide range of apple varieties available, you can grow sweet, tart, or cooking apples, depending on your preference.
Choosing the Right Apple Tree
The first step in growing apple trees is selecting the right variety. There are two main types of apple trees to consider:
1. Dessert Apples
Dessert apples are grown for eating fresh and are typically sweet with a crisp texture. Popular varieties include:
- ‘Braeburn’: A sweet-tart apple with firm flesh.
- ‘Gala’: A small, sweet apple with red and yellow skin.
- ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’: A classic British apple with a balanced flavour.
2. Cooking Apples
Cooking apples are often larger and more tart than dessert apples, making them ideal for baking or preserving. Popular varieties include:
- ‘Bramley’s Seedling’: The most well-known cooking apple, perfect for pies and crumbles.
- ‘Grenadier’: A reliable early-season cooker with a sharp flavour.
Pollination
Apple trees need to be pollinated by a compatible variety to produce fruit. Some apple trees are self-fertile, meaning they don’t require another tree to set fruit, but most require a pollination partner. Check the pollination group of your chosen variety and plant another apple tree from the same or an overlapping group nearby to ensure successful pollination.
How to Plant Apple Trees
Once you’ve chosen your apple tree variety, it’s time to plant. Here’s how to get started:
1. Choosing the Right Location
Apple trees need a sunny location with well-drained soil. They prefer sheltered spots to protect them from strong winds, which can damage the branches and affect pollination.
- Sunlight: Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Soil: Apple trees prefer loamy soil with good drainage. If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, consider adding organic matter to improve its texture.
2. When to Plant
The best time to plant apple trees is in the autumn or early spring. Bare-root trees should be planted in late autumn to early winter, while container-grown trees can be planted throughout the year, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
3. Planting Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to plant your apple tree:
Step 1: Prepare the Planting Hole
- Dig a hole that is twice the width of the tree’s root ball and the same depth.
- Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole to encourage the roots to spread out.
Step 2: Prepare the Tree
- Soak the roots of bare-root trees in water for a few hours before planting.
- For container-grown trees, gently tease out the roots if they are pot-bound.
Step 3: Plant the Tree
- Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the graft union (the bulge where the tree was grafted onto the rootstock) is about 5–7cm above the soil line.
- Backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently around the roots.
- Water the tree well to help settle the soil.
Step 4: Mulch and Stake
- Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree, keeping it away from the trunk to prevent rot.
- Stake the tree to provide support and prevent wind damage, especially in the first few years.
Caring for Your Apple Tree
Apple trees need regular care to grow strong and healthy. Here’s how to look after them:
1. Watering
In the first year after planting, water your apple tree regularly, especially during dry periods. Once established, apple trees are fairly drought-tolerant but will benefit from deep watering during prolonged dry spells.
2. Feeding
Apple trees benefit from an annual feed of balanced fertiliser in early spring, just before they start growing. If your soil is lacking nutrients, you can also apply a second feed in mid-summer.
3. Pruning
Pruning is essential for keeping your apple tree healthy and productive. Prune young trees to develop a strong framework and established trees to remove dead or diseased wood and encourage good airflow.
- Winter pruning: Focus on shaping the tree and removing damaged or crossing branches.
- Summer pruning: Trim back new growth to encourage fruiting.
4. Mulching and Weeding
Keep the area around your apple tree free from weeds and grass, which can compete for nutrients. Apply a fresh layer of mulch each year to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Common Apple Tree Pests and Diseases
Apple trees can be susceptible to pests and diseases. Here are a few common issues and how to manage them:
1. Aphids
Aphids can cause curled leaves and stunted growth. Remove them by hand or spray with soapy water.
2. Apple Scab
This fungal disease causes dark, scabby patches on leaves and fruit. Prune affected areas and ensure good airflow around the tree.
3. Codling Moth
Codling moth larvae burrow into apples, causing damage. Use pheromone traps to reduce the population and pick off affected fruit.
Harvesting Your Apples
Apples are typically ready to harvest in late summer to autumn, depending on the variety. To check if your apples are ready, gently twist the fruit—if it comes away easily, it’s ready to pick. For cooking apples, harvest them slightly earlier when they’re still firm.
Final Thoughts
Growing apple trees is a rewarding experience that gives you fresh, delicious fruit straight from your garden. With the right care, apple trees will thrive and produce bountiful harvests year after year. Whether you're growing for fresh eating or baking, there's an apple variety perfect for your garden.
At Marshalls Garden, we offer a wide range of apple trees, from popular dessert varieties to reliable cookers. Visit us today to find the perfect apple tree for your garden and start growing your own orchard!