There are countless varieties of apples in general cultivation in this country and all have their likes and dislikes - yet all the all-round varieties seem to do well almost anywhere.

Like all fruits they like to be treated well and will reward those who remember this. I am concerned with growing apples and other fruits such as plums for wine-making; therefore there seems little point in covering the growing of these fruits in the espalier fashion or as cordons. Apart from the fact that the average home-grower will not want this type of tree, he will want as much fruit as he can get from as little space as he can allow. No one will dispute the quality of fruits grown as cordons, but they are expensive to start with and cannot hope to compete with the bush tree when a lot of fruit is the aim of the grower.

The bush tree is the most suitable for the small garden where the owner wants as much fruit as he can get from a small space and for a minimum of labor.

Deep digging is essential, for it must be remembered that trees, once planted, will remain perhaps the lifetime of the owner.

The roots of apples go a great deal deeper than is generally imagined and provided the right variety for the type of soil is planted, the trees will settle down and fruit well. Unless your garden is in what we call a frost hole - a natural depression in the lie of the land that catches the spring frosts harder than elsewhere and then catches the first rays of the morning sun - you can grow apples without fear of the frosts depriving you of your crops.

Bush apples are usually planted ten to twelve feet apart and are put in before Christmas. Early February is the latest that I would leave this job.

Prepare the soil well in advance and allow it to settle before planting. Six months in advance is not too early to get the first digging done if the soil has never before been broken.

When planting, take out holes a good bit larger than are required to accommodate all the roots without cramping. The depth of the hole will depend on the depth the young tree had been planted before it was delivered to you and this will be clearly marked on the young trunk.

Any roots damaged in transit should be cut off cleanly with a sharp knife.

It is best to drive a stake firmly into the middle of the hole and to tie the tree to this while planting. Spread out the roots, shovel sifted soil over them and firm each layer by treading. Rattle the tree occasionally so that the soil is shaken down between the roots. Plant firmly; insecure planting is the most frequent cause of deaths among young trees. When firmly planted, untie the tree from the stake and bind the trunk with felt or some other material and bind this part to the stake. This will prevent chafing of the bark.

For general purposes it is best not to prune a young tree during the first season after planting, but pruning thereafter is of the greatest importance. Not only does it keep the tree in shape but it prevents overcrowding and ensures regular and heavy fruiting.

In the case of bush apples, each leading shoot - that is the growing tip of each main branch - is cut back by about six inches. The young growths growing off this main branch are laterals; these must not be allowed to become branches otherwise the tree will become overcrowded. These laterals are pruned back to leave four or five buds.

The following precautions should be taken against pests and diseases. Spray during winter with a tar-distillate wash. Spray with a nicotine wash in spring, when the buds begin to open and again a week after the petals have fallen. Fix grease bands to the trunks.

About the Author

Brian Cook is a freelance writer whose articles on gardening and home wine making have appeared in print and on many websites. You can find more of these at: Homemade Wine

Short Review on Kiona Wine

Growing Apples for Great Wine


There are countless varieties of apples in general cultivation in this country and all have their likes and dislikes - yet all the all-round varieties...


Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Featured Kiona Wine Items

The FTD Solemn Offering Arrangement - Premium


A traditional sympathy arrangement in white. This elegant arrangement features white calla lilies and white spider chrysanthemums accented with Bells of Ireland, white snapdragons, and white carnations. Appropriate to send to a home or to a funeral S3-3490P


Price: 184.99 USD



Kiona Wine in the news

Oh the WHO-manity!

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:00:00 -0800
(The First Annual All-Blogger Non-Virtual Secret Santa Exchange) Now that the Hallowe’en candies have all been eaten, it’s time to concentrate on the next big holiday that is not Grey Cup or American Thanksgiving. Try to deny it all you like, but you know Christmas is fast approaching. So before you start getting dragged off to mind-numbingly boring office parties or over to your next door neighbour’s place where you will be forced to make small talk in a living room that smells of hamster beddi

...And They All Got Baked... (Wine Blogging Wednesday #51 Wrap-Up)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800
Wow.To say that I was impressed by the energy, turn out, and quality of the Wine Blogging Wednesday #51 participant posts would be an understatement.Sort of like saying that the Grand Canyon is a minor geological anomaly. That kind of understatement.To be perfectly honest, I was dreading (somewhat) having to carve out the time to read each entry for the event. That dread quickly turned into anticipation as my perceived labor became a labor of love.And that is entirely due to the high quality o

Celebrity Yachts - Greg Norman

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:53:40 -0800
Celebrity Yachts - Greg Norman By Wendy Pan Australian golfer Greg Norman’s yacht is a true feast for the eyes of any boat lover. Nicknamed “The Shark”, Mr. Norman’s boat is one of those massive creations that give a person the sense that anything can be accomplished with enough hard work . . . and money. “Aussie Rules” is the name he gave his vessel, and she is quite the beauty. One of the most impressive private yachts to ever sail the seas. Obtained by Norman in 2005 for a mere $70 millio

Dietary Supplements: Much More Than a “Waste of Money”

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:23:33 -0800
Jump to Comments If you’ve been told dietary supplements are a “waste of money” - take a moment to get a “second opinion” on the subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOrthomolecular Medicine News Service, November 10, 2008 The “Expensive Urine” Myth What About Those “Wasted” Vitamins? (OMNS, November 10, 2008) Ever heard this one before? “Your body doesn’t absorb extra vitamins. All you get from taking vitamin supplements is expensive urine.” Sure you have. And you still will, at websites such as htt


Wine Quotes
Swedish Wine

Labels: Wines | Zinfandel Grape

&type=page">