Soil and Fertilizer

Soils in the Southern Interior are chronically low in organic matter and nitrogen. Minor elements such as magnesium, boron, and zinc may be low as well. If good weed control is practiced, no fertilizer should be required for the first two or three years.

When the tree starts to crop, apply one ounce (28 grams) of a complete fertilizer such as 12-16-12 (which also contains minor elements) per square yard (0.8 sq. M) in the fall. Nutrients can also be applied as foliar sprays. Organic growers should use appropriate organic fertilizer material.

Pollination

While some apple varieties are partly self-fertile, cross pollination can have a very significant effect upon productivity of most apple varieties. To provide for cross pollination it is necessary to have two or more varieties.

Thinning Fruit

Only a small portion of the apples on an apple tree are needed for a full crop. The rest of the fruit must be thinned off so that the apples that are left will grow to a good size. In addition to this, some apple varieties are prone to biennial bearing.

This means that they have a heavy crop one year followed by a light crop the next year. Thinning out the fruit on a heavy crop year will help to have a larger crop in the off year. Thin the fruit in June after the June drop. Space the apple 6" (15 cm) apart.

Harvesting

Each apple variety has its own maturity index. For example, McIntosh apples are ready to pick when the seeds are 80% brown. Spartan and Red Delicious apples are ready when the flesh appears clear white when the fruit is cut across. If the apples taste starchy, they are not ready. If they are starting to drop, pick them.

Pests and Disease

Apples have more pests and require more spraying than all other kinds of tree fruit. Insect pests include: codling moth, leafrollers, bud moth, green fruitworms, aphids, leafhoppers, and many others. Diseases include: apple scab, perennial canker, powdery mildew, crown rot, fire blight, and others.

For more information on pest control check A Guide to Fruit Tree Sprays for the Home Garden published by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, or consult the BCMAL publication BC Home and Garden Pest Management Guide. Organic gardeners should use accepted organic methods of pest control.