Apples grows best in fertile soil. Make sure the apple tree root ball is well-moistened before planting by soaking it in a bucket of lukewarm water.

Prepare a suitable hole and improve poor garden soil by mixing in some compost and well-rotted manure. Plant the Malus domestica at the appropriate depth in the hole - the top of the root ball should be approximately 10 cm below ground level. Plant the tree next to a tree stakd and wrap a tree belt around the stake and trunk. Fill the hole with soil and heel well in. Give it plenty of water immediately after planting. This apple tree will thrive in an area with complete sunshine.

The apple tree can be planted in a pot

You can plant the tree in the ground, where eventually it will become a rather large tree. It is also possible to plant it in a large pot or planter and grow it as a smaller tree.

We advise a mulch of compost and granulated cow manure around the trunk of the tree in the winter. Water extra during dry spells. Thin out the fruits in August by removing the smallest apples so that all the energy goes to the largest fruit. The apples can be harvested from October.

Apple trees can be pruned

Prune apple trees from November through to March as long as there is no frost. Fruit trees continue to grow from the top, so if you want a tree that is not so tall we would advise topping it off. Most apple trees grow short and strong side shoots on which the apples develop – you can stimulate their growth by cutting back the main stems 30%, to right above a bud. Thereafter, cut side shoots back to 3-6 buds and you will then see the fruit develop.

Apples are good for you and contain lots of vitamin C.