You can grow high-quality apple trees at home with the proper apple tree care and effort. Apples have some pests and diseases that can harm the quality and quantity of your harvest in the fall. To protect your apples, you should take action early. Spring is the best time to manage these insects and diseases long before the fruit appears.
There are many approaches to overcome the problem that can affect apple trees. Following only one approach is not enough. You should use multiple strategies to overcome common pests and diseases and produce healthy growth.
Good Care & Management
Start with intense care and management for a healthy and delicious apple harvest. Remove fallen fruit and leaves to prevent pests from overwintering, and clear weeds around trees to eliminate breeding and feeding grounds.
Prune regularly to remove diseased wood and improve airflow, which reduces disease buildup. Choose disease-resistant cultivars, mulch around tree bases, and plant in well-drained soil. Keep young trees hydrated, especially during dry spells. With the right approach, you’ll grow high-quality apples year after year.
Yearly Spray Plan For Apple Tree Care
It’s important to note that if you apply spray, follow the label directions strictly. Nearly all sprays require multiple applications at intervals during the spring season.
First Year: Planting Apple Tree
- If you’re a beginner, start by planting a low-maintenance tree. I recommend the scab-free varieties like Crimson Crisp, Enterprise, or Gold Rush.
- Buy from a reputable fruit tree nursery instead of a retail store. Bare-root trees from nurseries often perform better, but if you buy from a store, choose a healthy, low-maintenance, semi-dwarf variety.
- Choose a semi-dwarf tree because smaller trees are easier to manage.
- Plant in spring, not during summer’s peak heat.
- Water should be consistent initially, and young trees should be protected from deer if needed.
- For cross-pollination, plant at least two trees (three is better). Crab apples can also serve as pollinators.
- If you are grafting apples, make sure the union stays above the soil. Planting it too deep will result in an oversized tree.
- Stake the tree and ensure the main center branch grows straight up.
That’s all for the first year! Focus on care and growth; don’t expect apples until Year 3.
Second Year: Thinning Your Apple Tree
Thin your apple tree in Year 2 and every year after, starting in early June.
When apples reach smaller than a quarter in size, remove most of the baby apples. Your tree produces more than it can support, so thinning helps the remaining apples grow larger and healthier. Leave one apple every six inches along the branch. If you see clusters of two or more, remove all but one.
Thinning may seem drastic, but it prevents stress on the tree, stops the fruit from growing too small, and ensures a strong harvest next year. For the best results, complete thinning before apples reach the size of a quarter.
If your tree doesn’t produce apples in Year 2, you can wait until Year 3 to start thinning.
Third Year: Start Spraying Your Apple Tree
Start spraying your apple tree in the third year and continue every year after.
It’s only a basic spray guide to help protect your tree. It’s not an exhaustive pest management plan but covers the essentials.
Dormant Oil Spray
- Use a dormant oil spray labeled for fruit trees. The brand doesn’t matter; ensure it’s safe for apple trees.
- Apply at the half-inch green bud stage to the tight cluster stage (before any pink appears). It usually happens in early April, but the timing may vary.
- Apply one coat and carefully follow all label instructions.
- It Protects against aphids and other pests.
Home Fruit Tree Spray
- Use a home fruit tree spray, which differs from dormant oil. Look for a spray that combines insecticide and fungicide for complete protection.
- Apply after bloom, when most petals have fallen, and apples are about the size of a pea.
- It protects against pests like plum curculio, ornamental fruit moth, and codling moth (prevents worms in apples) and fights diseases like apple scab, powdery mildew, and summer rots.
Follow-Up Home Fruit Tree Spray
- Apply the same home fruit tree spray two weeks later.
- Repeat this spray every two weeks to maintain a strong defense.
Consistent spraying prevents pests and diseases, ensuring a high-quality apple harvest. Stick to the schedule for the best results!
If you are concerned about summer rots, you can continue spraying through the summer. However, it is unnecessary for most apple varieties except for Gala, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious, which are more prone to rot.
Picking Apples and Pruning Your Tree
You can typically start picking apples by Year 3. If you get apples in Year 1 or 2, consider it a bonus! Just thin the tree so it can grow strong enough for future harvests.
Year 3 is also the time to begin pruning. Pruning will help your tree thrive and produce even better apples in the coming years!
