Grow your own apples

Choose a location that offers 8 hours of sun per day (trees in shady areas won"t produce ample fruit).

For pollination to occur, you need to plant at least two trees within 3 o 4 m of one another.

Well-drained soil is very important since too much moisture will harm the roots of both new and established trees.

Likewise, the soil needs to be rich; abundant nutrients are essential for a bountiful crop, so when planting, work compost, bonemeal or bloodmeal into the planting holes dug for each sapling.

To maintain richness in the soil, add compost each fall or spring around the base of the trees as far out as the drip line; top up with mulch except near the trunk where excessive moisture can cause rot.

Each fall clear fallen fruits from around the base of the trees to minimize the occurrence of apple maggots and other pests that can ruin the next crop of fruit

This wraps up apple week! Check out 10 tasty ways to eat apples for more suggestions on how to make the most of the season.

Posted by: danamccauley Source