If you don't already have an apple tree, you should consider planting one with exact instructions in your yard this summer; there's nothing like picking a juicy apple right off the branch in the fall. Named apple cultivars from a trusted specialty nursery are your best bet. They are shipped to you as potted saplings. It would take too long to germinate apple seeds, and just as offspring rarely look like their parents, fruit trees rarely grow true to type when propagated from seed. Apple trees thrive in sunny, protected locations that are far from areas where they might be subject to frost. Keep away from areas with poor drainage or shallow soil. They were dug up from the earth while dormant, with very little soil still clinging to their roots. Some plants, such as fruit trees, hedges, and perennials, may be purchased bare root. While dormant in the winter and spring, they are more affordable than containerized plants. bare-root stock (where the roots are visible when the plant is purchased) or potted plants. Although bare-root plants are best planted in the fall and spring, containerized plants can be set in the ground at any time of year, though winter is ideal. Dig a hole in the garden that's no deeper than the roots, but that's at least three times as wide as the root ball. You may need to use a fork to loosen the dirt in the planting hole if the bottom or the sides are particularly firm. Back fill the planting hole around the plant's roots, making sure there are no air gaps. Step lightly on the soil to firm it up. If you want to grow apples in a container, you'll need to find a variety that was developed specifically for that purpose. Unlike other fruit trees, apple trees cannot be grown from seed. If the tree's trunk is grafted onto a separate set of roots (a root stock), the root stock will determine how big the tree will grow. It follows that when selecting an apple for a container, you should seek out one that has been grafted onto a container root stock. To fill a container, seek out 'M26' root stocks. If grown in a container, select one with a diameter of 45-50cm (18-20in). Crocks can be helpful while planting. There are drainage holes in the bottom of pots, which can be made of plastic, metal, ceramic (including terracotta), or biodegradable material. Plants and seeds are normally grown in containers with a diameter of 7.5-15cm (3-5in), while seed trays and seed pans (short pots) are also used for sowing. containers (either clay pots or polystyrene) to help keep moisture levels constant. Be sure you use a high-quality. Soil amendment formed from decayed plant matter, typically in a compost bin or heap, is called "garden compost." To boost soil's fertility, structure, and moisture retention, this is often added. • Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers; there is a broad variety of commercially created composts available, derived from a mix of diverse elements like loam, coir, peat, sand, and fertilizer, but you may also mix your own. With proper care, most apple varieties may keep for a month or two, and some later-fruiting kinds may last much longer. Early ripening kinds can't be stored for long, as they're best consumed within a day or two of being picked. When storing fruit, make sure only undamaged specimens are kept. Keep them in the refrigerator, or at 2-5°C (35-41F) in the dark. The next best place is a shed or garage, but a cellar is ideal. The fruit will last longer if the air is slightly humid. Put the apples in slatted wooden or plastic crates or boxes, making sure they don't contact each other for optimal air circulation. You can avoid potential injury by keeping them separated with paper wrapping. Regularly inspect the stored fruits and throw away those that have spoiled. Wild rabbits, hares, and even deer have been known to visit an orchard specifically to feast on the tender, new bark of an apple tree. In urban areas, deer are not typically an issue, but in more open areas, they can quickly destroy a young apple tree. Hares and rabbits pose the least difficulty. To prevent damage from rabbits and hares, invest in spiral tree guards and position them around the tree's base. After a few years, when the bark has stiffened and proven unappealing to rabbits and hares, you can take down the fences. Deer can cause significant damage to trees, thus it's important to install fencing or wire mesh around the tree's base. If you think deer might be a problem, do this right after you plant. It's harvest season, so be patient. It's well worth the effort to wait for the apples to reach full maturity before picking them. The apples are ready to be picked when their undertone hue is no longer green. If you cup the fruit in your palm, give the stem a tiny twist, and then lift the fruit off the ground, the stem will easily break off the branch. The harvest season for apples can begin anywhere from the middle of August to the beginning of October, depending on the variety and the growing circumstances. Cook with apples that are too mushy or overripe to eat straight from the tree. Consume early-season apple varieties as soon as possible after picking because they don't keep for long. Those grown in the middle of the season have a rather long storage life. You can store late-season types for up to five months in a cool, dark place like a root cellar. The apples you store must be in pristine condition, free of any blemishes or soft places, or you risk ruining your harvest. Wrap each piece of fruit separately in newspaper or tissue. After the apples have been wrapped, set them on airtight trays. In the absence of paper wrapping, take care to separate the fruits. Separate variety to extend their shelf life and prioritize eating perishable items. Put away in a dry, cool, dark location. Any garage or shed will do. Stay out of the attic and the basement because of the high temperatures and low humidity respectively. If you have apples in storage, make sure to check on them often and remove any that are getting soft, discolored, or rotten. It is important to provide consistent watering for new trees as they get established, as well as for all trees save the most mature ones during periods of dryness in the summer and when the fruit begins to expand. In the middle of summer, thin the fruit if necessary to promote good apple ripening and to prevent the branches from breaking. Reduce spacing to one or two fruits every six inches.
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