Being able to pluck a crisp and tasty apple directly from a tree is one of life’s little pleasures. Apples just seem to taste better when they go right from the tree to your mouth. The great thing is that if you have the room on your Minnesota property, you can have your very own apple tree. There are just a few things you should know, however. Here are some tips to help you grow your own apple trees.
Sunshine and Cooling
Like all trees, apple trees need a certain amount of sunlight to thrive and survive. During the summer months, they should be in a spot where they get at least six hours of sunlight every day. A cooling down period during the winter is important to help encourage growth in the coming season. This need for cooling is why apple trees tend to thrive in the northern hemisphere.
Give Them Their Space
It is important to have a plan for how you will space out your trees. It takes around a decade for an apple tree to reach its largest size, so you do not want to underestimate the space needed around the spot you plant the tree. You can have them around a garden that needs shade in summer and light in winter, because they lose their leaves during the cold months. You should try to use a spot that has good drainage, although apple trees are very tolerant to different soil types and conditions.
When to Plant
The best time to plant an apple tree is November, but you can wait all the way until March if you would like. If you buy a sapling, make sure that it looks healthy and strong. You should plant it in moist soil as soon as possible. If the root dries out it may hamper the tree’s development.
How to Plant
The hole you dig should be deep and wide enough to place the entirety of the roots inside without being tangled. You may have to detangle them yourself. Fill the hole, and compress the soil to make sure that its the roots are always touching the soil. The graft should be above the soil line. If you need a stake, then by all means us one, at least until the tree is better established. Give it a good watering, and you are good to go!