Apple
Malus domestica · Rosaceae
Description
The apple is a pomaceous fruit cultivated worldwide and belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is typically round, ranging from green to red to yellow, and has a sweet to tart flavor depending on the variety.
Where it Grows
Planting
When to Plant
- Spring (after the last frost)
- Fall (before the first hard frost)
How to Plant
- Choose a well-drained site with full sun.
- Prepare a hole twice the size of the root ball.
- Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the graft union is above soil level.
- Backfill with soil and compact gently.
- Water thoroughly.
Planting Calendar
- Plant outdoors: from 4 weeks before the last frost until the last frost
- Autumn planting: 4–8 weeks before the first autumn frost
Plant
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Apple
- Plant out: Mar 13 – Apr 16
- Autumn planting: Aug 30 – Oct 3
Care
Watering
- Water deeply weekly during dry spells.
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Weeding
- Regularly clear weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
Mulching
- Apply a 3-4 inch layer of organic mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Fertilizing
- Use a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
- An annual application of compost is also beneficial.
Thinning
- Thin young fruits when they are around the size of a marble to promote better size and quality.
Pest Management
- Monitor for common pests such as aphids and codling moths.
- Use organic pesticides or traps as needed.
Harvesting
- Harvest apples when they are fully colored and slightly firm.
- Gently twist off fruit from the tree to avoid damage.
Growing in Containers
Grows well in a pot of at least 50 litres (13 US gallons), with drainage holes. Best kept outdoors.
Propagation
By grafting
- Obtain a compatible apple rootstock.
- Collect dormant scion wood from the variety you want to grow.
- Graft the scion onto the rootstock in late winter or early spring, aligning their cambium layers.
- Bind and seal the graft.
- Remove shoots that grow from below the graft.
From seed
- Remove and rinse seeds from a ripe apple.
- Chill the seeds in a moist medium in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 weeks.
- Sow the seeds in pots of seed-starting mix.
- Keep the mix moist while the seedlings grow.
- Transplant the seedlings after frost, remembering that they will not grow true to the parent variety.
Companion Plants
Good neighbors
- Crabapple: A crabapple that flowers at the same time can supply pollen for apple varieties that need cross-pollination.
Keep apart from
- Eastern red cedar: This juniper is an alternate host for cedar-apple rust, which can infect nearby apple trees.
Common Problems
- Apple Scab
- Fire Blight
- Cedar Apple Rust
- Powdery Mildew
Pests and diseases: Apple Scab, Codling Moth, Fire Blight, Aphids, Powdery Mildew
Nutrition
Nutritional Benefits
- Low in calories
- High in dietary fiber
- Rich in antioxidants
Nutritional Composition (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 52 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fiber | 2.4 g |
| Sugars | 10 g |
| Protein | 0.3 g |
| Vitamin C | 4.6 mg (8% DV) |
| Potassium | 107 mg (3% DV) |
Varieties
- Red Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Fuji
- Gala
- Honeycrisp
- Braeburn
Health Benefits
- May help improve heart health.
- Can aid in weight management.
- Promotes gut health due to high fiber content.
- Linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Fun Facts
- Apples float in water because 25% of their volume is air.
- There are over 7,500 varieties of apples grown worldwide.
- The science of apple cultivation and breeding is known as pomology.