How to grow apple
Overview
Apple (Malus domestica) is a deciduous orchard tree grown for its crisp, sweet fruit and ornamental spring blossom. It requires a period of winter chill and cross-pollination from a different variety to set fruit reliably.
Varieties
- Granny Smith — Vigorous, green-skinned, tart; excellent for cooking and stores well.
- Pink Lady — Crisp, sweet, pink-blushed; a popular commercial variety in Australia.
- Jonagold — Large, golden with red blush; sweet and juicy, good for fresh eating.
- Fuji — Very sweet, firm, long storage; a top choice for home orchards.
Soil Preparation
Apple prefers deep, well-drained loam with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Add plenty of well-rotted compost before planting. If soil is heavy clay, plant on a mound or in a raised bed to improve drainage.
Growing Guide
Plant bare-root trees in winter in a sunny, well-drained position with shelter from strong winds. Space standard trees 4–6 m apart, dwarf 2–3 m. Dig a hole twice the root width, backfill with compost and native soil, and stake for the first year. Water deeply weekly during establishment.
Sowing
Apple is rarely grown from seed as it does not come true to type. Most home gardeners buy grafted trees from nurseries. If attempting seed, stratify in the fridge for 6–8 weeks, sow 1 cm deep in autumn, and expect 3–5 years to first fruit.
Care
Feed with a balanced organic fertiliser in early spring and again after fruit set. Prune in winter to remove dead wood, crossing branches, and to open the canopy for light. Thin fruit to one per cluster in early summer for better size and quality.
Companion Planting
Plant chives, tansy, or marigolds near apple to deter aphids and codling moth. Avoid planting near walnut trees, which release juglone that can stunt growth. Keep grass away from the trunk to reduce competition.
Common Pests & Risks
Codling moth: spray with organic pheromone traps or kaolin clay in spring. Fruit fly: use netting or exclusion bags from fruit set. Aphids: control with horticultural oil or ladybeetle predators. Scale: prune out infested wood and apply dormant oil in winter.
Harvesting
Harvest apples when the fruit lifts easily from the spur with a gentle twist and the seeds inside are brown. Pick in dry weather and handle carefully to avoid bruising. Early varieties ripen from late summer, later ones into autumn.
In the Kitchen
Apples are eaten fresh, baked, or juiced. Store in a cool, dark place for several months; keep varieties separate as some ripen faster. The best cooking apples are Granny Smith and Bramley for pies and sauces.
Troubleshooting
Yellow leaves: often overwatering or poor drainage; check soil moisture. Brown edges: salt burn or wind scorch; mulch and shelter. Small fruit: insufficient thinning or poor pollination; ensure two varieties. Bitter pit: calcium deficiency; spray with calcium chloride at fruit set. Leaf curl: fungal disease; apply copper spray in winter.