Planting an Apple Tree Has Never Been So Easy: [10 Steps + Images]

What will you learn in this article?

We teach you what you need to plant an apple tree correctly in your garden or orchard. The needs of this tree, where you should plant it, how it should be watered and the pests and diseases that can potentially harm it.

Important points to plant an apple tree:

When? In spring, ideally in March.
Where? It requires at least 6-8 hours of light. It is resistant to cold. Does not tolerate excessive heat.
Harvest time? The apple tree can take up to 8-10 years to bear the first apples.
How do we prepare the land? It adapts to most terrains. You need a neutral pH. It prefers siliceous-clayey soils, with excellent drainage.
How do we water? It is not very tolerant to lack of water. The adult apple tree generally requires between 200 and 300 liters of water per year and kilo of fruit produced.
How do we sow? Here step by step.
How do we harvest? The apples are harvested between August and October, except for the earliest varieties that are harvested from July.
Plagues and diseases? Aphids, scab, carpocapsa, drill butterfly.

The apple is one of the most widely distributed fruits in the world.

Not only is it a healthy food, with a great supply of vitamins, fiber and potassium, but it also has a delicious and refreshing taste.

Today, the apple tree is one of the most cultivated fruit trees in the world.

And although its cultivation is as simple as planting an apple seed in the ground, there are certain essential requirements for its cultivation to be successful.

In this article we tell you what is the most effective way to sow it.

Did you know…Did you know that the apple tree can be considered a fast-growing tree? However, it is estimated that it will not give us a decent production of apples until at least 10 years have passed.

What do we need to plant an apple tree?

Before starting, it is necessary to define the necessary requirements for a good crop, answering the following questions.

When should it be sown?

As it is a fruit tree, it is recommended itssowing at the end of March.

May and early June also represent a good time, as it corresponds to the time when all tree species are planted in general.

In very hot regions, it can be sown at the beginning of the year, as long as there are no frosts.

For this, it is best to get the advice of an expert.

The apple tree usually blooms between April and May.

During the months of June and July, it is loaded with tender fruits, so it is the time when we must protect it more from birds and insects and thin it out.

It can be harvested between August and October, depending on the variety.

If you want to know more:

Where to plant an apple tree?

It is very resistant to coldand does not requirehuge amounts of light and heatfor its maturation.

It is recommended that it receives between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight per day.

It prefers humid and temperate climates to cold. Withstands temperatures down to -10 ºC

Its optimum growth temperature varies between 18 and 24 ºC

How often should it be watered?

It is not very tolerant to excess heat and dry climates.

During the early stages, watering should be abundant and frequent, avoiding waterlogging. Stagnant water is harmful.

At first,twice a week and ideally by drip.As the first shoots become stronger, watering can be spaced 12 days apart.

The adult apple tree generally requires between 200 and 300 liters of water per year per kilo of fruit produced.

How do we prepare the land?

The apple tree adapts to most terrains, although it prefers siliceous-clay soils, with excellent drainage.

Its root system is superficial, so it can live in shallow soils.

It is the fruit tree that best tolerates grass .

It grows best in soil witha neutral pH level, moderately rich in nutrients.

It is important to consider the space, since it can reach up to 9 meters in height.

Also, keep in mind thatyou must plant the tree leaving between 5 and 7 meters of distancefrom any other tree, especially if you are going to plant two apple trees on the same piece of land.

How to plant an apple tree direct from seed

Let the seed germinate. The best way to grow apple trees effectively is to germinate the seed before planting. If you sow the seed directly in the ground, you run the risk of cross-pollination, which can negatively influence the fruits.
You can use seeds taken directly from any apple, or if you prefer, you can also purchase seeds from an authorized dealer. If you have extracted them yourself, clean them well and put them to dry in the open air until the shell feels dry.
Then place several seeds on a paper towel. Add a few tablespoons of peat-based potting soil and add a few drops of water to moisten it.
Mix the soil, making sure the seeds are well covered.
Place the seeds and soil for sowing in a zip lock bag and refrigerate for one to two months at 5 to 10°C.
Make sure the soil stays moist.
When the seeds sprout, take them out of the fridge. Sow the seeds in a pot.
Get a pot of at least 15 centimeters and fill it with a good potting mix, making sure it has good drainage.
It is not necessary to use fertilizer (such as calcium nitrate, ideal for apple trees), although if you think it is necessary, you can use mulch to give the seeds more nutrients.
Place the seed at a depth of 2 to 5 centimeters and cover it with soil. You can place two seeds in the same pot, to guarantee the growth of the plant. Once planted, water to keep the soil moist, avoiding puddles.
Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a well-lit place.

Sow in seed and outside

If you plan to directly sow the sprouted seed outdoors, skip this step and go to the next one:

Clear the ground. It removes weeds and remains of previous crops and all kinds of residues to ensure that your apple tree receives the correct amount of nutrients.
All plants must be pulled out by the roots to prevent them from growing back.
Prepare the ground. Moisten the ground before planting the apple tree; This reduces the risk of the seeds being moved by the force of the water.
Fertilize the soil. Spread a 1-inch layer of compost on top of the soil. If you plan to sow several seeds and then transplant them, you can create 2.5 cm deep furrows.
If you draw several grooves, try to leave the same distance of 30 centimeters between one and the other.
Put the seeds in the soil. Place each seed at a depth of 2 to 5 centimeters and cover it with soil.
If you plant several, each germinated seed should be a foot apart.
Cover newly planted shoots with a thin layer of soil to protect them. Then sprinkle 1 inch of sand on top of the soil that covers them.
This will protect the soil from hardening in cold weather.
Wait a few days. Regardless of whether you have planted in a pot or outdoors, you will have to wait a few days for the sprouts to strengthen.
Keep them moist, well lit and ventilated until they reach 12 to 24 inches tall.
If you sow outdoors, it is best to place a wire mesh to protect the seeds while they are growing.
Graft to ensure your apple tree produces fruit. Although this point is not mandatory, if you are planting an apple tree because you want to reap its fruits, you better pay attention.
The fact that your plants are already growing does not guarantee that they will bear fruit. To make sure it does, what you need to do is a graft.In other words, you must place the cutting of a tree that does bear fruit in the trunk of your tree so that they merge and become a single plant.
There are different ways to make grafts. We recommend that you consult an expert to guide you in the most effective way to do it. You will also need to make sure that both species you plan to graft are compatible.
Transplant your shoots. Whether you have planted several plants in rows, or you have planted them in a pot, when they have reached a considerable height and thickness, you must transplant them to their final place.
Preferably, transplant on a cool, windless day. If the ground is frozen, very wet or too dry, it is not advisable to carry out the transplant.
Dig a hole big enough and deep enough for your tree’s root ball to grow snug and roots to develop.
The measurement may vary depending on the size of your tree, but it should be at least twice the size of the root ball. When planting, check that no roots are left outside the hole.
Fill in the hole. Try that the neck of the root —where the stem begins— is not buried, but at ground level. Tamp down the soil to compact it and eliminate air pockets.
Keep in mind that it will take about four years for the trees to be five feet tall, and about ten years before they start to bear fruit, so we recommend a lot of patience.
Regularly prune the plants. Throughout the life cycle of the apple tree, we will remove the leaves in poor condition.
The pruning of the apple tree also guarantees that robust trees are obtained, capable of supporting the weight of the crops, achieving abundant production, aerating and lighting the center of the tree and eliminating alldry, diseased or non-productive wood.
Do not prune trees for the first five years, as pruning can stunt the growth of young trees.
Fruit thinning. Once your tree begins to bear fruit, you can do regular thinning.

Fruit thinning increases the amount of sugar, dry matter and acidity. It also serves to suppress fruits that are damaged by diseases, malformations or excessive growth.

The apples are produced in the form of a corymb, giving rise to two, three or more fruits in a single bouquet, when it should only produce a single fruit, therefore the rest must be suppressed.The fruits should be lightened when they reach the size of a hazelnut.

To know more, you can see: Apple tree cuttings.

How to harvest apples

The applesThey are harvested between August and October., except for the earliest varieties that are harvested from July.

It is best to harvest it in broad daylight, ensuring that there is no humidity.

When they reach their point, the apples easily detach from the tree.

Store apples in a cool, dark place. Store them at a temperature between 0 and 7 °C.

To know more, read: Varieties of apples.

Apple tree pests and diseases

To learn more about apple tree pests and diseases, see this article.

Some of the most common pests and diseases that affect the apple tree are:

aphids

The apple tree is mainly affected by four types of aphids: woolly, brown, green and ashy.

For its prevention, it is recommended to apply potassium soap and neem oil.

carpocapsa

It is a butterfly that appears during the summer, its caterpillar is pink and feeds on what it finds inside the fruits, causing them to fall prematurely or directly putrefy.

For its control, it is recommended to apply Bacillus Thuringiensis and neem oil.

drill butterfly

The drill butterflies, specifically the Zeuzera or yellow drill and the Cossus or red drill, usually open galleries in the branches of trees.

For its control, it is recommended to apply Bacillus Thuringiensis and neem oil.

Scab

This fungus lives on the fallen leaves of trees.

It appears in the form of dark spots on the bark and paralyzes the growth of the branches and fruits, also causing the flowers to fall.

For its prevention, copper oxychloride and nettle slurry are recommended .

Where can I buy this tree?

We always recommend going to a nursery in the town where you live. This way you can be advised by professionals.

In case you don’t have one, you can also buy an apple tree on Amazon:

Apple tree – Red apple – Pot 26cm. – Height approx. 1’20m. – Live plant – (Shipping only to the Peninsula)

Moderate irrigation. Cold resistant.
It adapts to most terrains.
2 year old plant.
Full sun exposure.

€27.90 View on Amazon Prices with VAT without transport

Last updated on 2022-07-31 / Affiliate Links / Affiliate API Images

Apple red apple love fruit red meat, potted fruit trees can be planted fruit trees 50 seeds / Pack

It usually takes around 1-4 weeks to provide after the item shipped. Check the delivery time…
Unit Type: Part Package Weight: 0.01kg (0.02lb.) Package Size: 1cm x 1cm x 1cm (0.39in x 0.39in x 0.39in)
Product Type: Bonsai Climate: Temperate Style: Perennial
Full-bloom Period: Summer Pot: Excluded Classification: Mini Garden

€4.99 View on Amazon Prices with VAT without transport

Last updated on 2022-07-31 / Affiliate Links / Affiliate API Images

How long does the apple tree live?

The life expectancy of an apple tree is between a minimum of 50 years and a maximum of 80 when it gets all the necessary care.

How long does it take for the apple tree to grow?

It can be considered that the most important period of growth of the apple tree is located in the first 10 years.

How long does it take to produce fruit?

About 10 years after planting, the apple tree will be able to produce fruit.

Can it be grown in a pot?

The apple tree can be cultivated in a pot without problems, controlling the size of the tree through balanced pruning.

How many times does the apple tree produce fruit?

With proper care, the apple tree will have the capacity to offer between 2 and 3 harvests per year.

Should the apple tree be pollinated to obtain fruit?

Pollination must be carried out by bees.

How cold can the apple tree tolerate?

The apple tree is very resistant to cold and frost, withstanding a minimum temperature of -15°C without damage.

How many apple trees can be planted per hectare?

The estimate of apple trees that can be planted in one hectare is 250 trees.

What kind of fertilizer does the apple tree need?

The apple tree accepts well the fertilizations that are made with NPK fertilizers to which adjustments are applied based on the age of the tree and the time of year.

In the productivity stage, it is common to increase the level of potassium and phosphorus provided.

How much heat and/or drought can the apple tree tolerate?

It is tolerant of summer temperatures that do not exceed 32° C.

Regarding drought, it must be said that they are not suitable for areas with low rainfall or inefficient irrigation systems because they harm it.

How is the production of apples worldwide?

To go into detail, you can see this article. However, as a summary, the country that produces the most apples worldwide is China, by far. The second country would be the United States. Then, yield per hectare of production, New Zealand or Switzerland are the most advanced.