Fruit TreesRosaceae
Apple Trees.
Cool seasonPerennialPollinator magnet
At a glance
The spec sheet.
- Direct sow / out
- Bare-root: early April. Container: April–May.
- Germ
- Purchased trees, dwarf or semi-dwarf recommended
- Days to harvest
- Fruit year 3–5 (dwarf faster)
- Spacing
- 15 ft (dwarf), 20 ft (semi-dwarf)
- Depth
- Same as pot; graft union 2" above soil
- Square-foot
- Own dedicated area — orchard bed
- Qty target
- 2 trees for a family — plus you'll share.
Plant
Best NJ varieties: Liberty, Freedom, Pristine, GoldRush (disease-resistant). Requires two trees for cross-pollination.
Care
Dormant oil in late winter. Neem oil at bud break. Fungicide every 3 weeks after bloom through August. Thin fruit to one per cluster, 6" apart.
Harvest
Twist and lift — ripe apples release easily. Store in root cellar or basement 3–6 months.
Applesauce, apple butter, pie filling, cider, dried apple slices, apple jelly. Cellar storage.
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