When planting an apple tree, the location is as important as the time of year you plant. Not all apple trees will grow in all climates, however, and it’s a good idea to pick a tree that’s suited to your zone before you plant and wind up disappointed. If you are in an area with less than 500 chill hours per year (zone 8-10), then these apple varieties are your best options for growing your own apple trees! When to plant trees and shrubs. If you are planning to plant a tree in spring, it’s best to plant is between March and May to ensure it has plenty of time to root before it’s shocked by a summer heat wave. It's possible to start the growth of apple trees in indoor pots rather than outside. Best Time To Plant Fruit Trees In Arizona The Climate of Arizona is ideal for growing a variety of beautiful fruit trees that produce wonderful, tasty fruit the entire year. When planting an apple tree, the location is as important as the time of year you plant. Fall is cooler so there is … The best time to plant them is at the end of autumn or early spring, avoiding the frosty winter weather, whilst giving them a little time to establish their root systems before the growing season gets underway. In USDA zones 6 to 8, apple trees can be successfully transplanted during the early spring, before leaves begin to sprout, or in late fall, once the tree has gone dormant for winter. While apple trees can tolerate an amount of shade to grow, they bloom the best in full sun hence spring planting is usually the best time to plant apple trees. If the ground has thawed and warmed enough that you can easily dig into it deep enough for the root ball of the tree to have room to expand, then it's time to plant. Growing fruit trees is not difficult and the fun of growing your own fruit, knowing exactly where it has come from, what has been done to it and harvesting it fresh and ripe straight from the tree is one of the big thrills of gardening. Avoid planting in waterlogged (water sitting on the soil surface or pooled in the bottom of the hole) or frozen (too hard to get the spade in) soil. If in doubt, spring planting is safer. When to Plant Fruit. The UW Extension recommends planting both types of stock as soon … In cold climates, like the central and northern regions of the United States--where the ground freezes during the winter--plant your apples trees in the early spring. Apple trees can tolerate extreme cold (think Russia! With container grown apple trees time is not quite so crucial but it's definitely best to plant them as soon as possible. We usually still have good availability over the winter, but the sooner you order the better. Although apple trees tolerate a variety of soil types, the soil should be fertile and well draining. Fall, Winter and Early Spring. Once you have chosen a fruit tree, it is important to consider the best time of year to plant. You will see apple trees for sale in two forms: bare-root stock (as the name suggested, the roots are exposed when you purchase these plants) or in containers. You can check an apple pollination chart if you need help. Specialist fruit trees for your orchard or back-yard. Most apple tree varieties are not self pollinating and need to have a companion apple tree nearby, though not necessarily of the same variety. The soil will then be drier, and there will be less chance of the new roots sitting in water for a long period. The best time to plant apples is from late autumn to early spring, while they lie dormant. Spot the best place. Position trees where they will be protected from strong winds and avoid planting in seaside areas, where they may not grow well. For most parts of North America spring is the best time to plant new apple trees. Best Time to Plant Trees. In any case, you can certainly transplant small apple trees. Trees are dormant in fall, and so they transition better. Planting Guides How to Plant Apple and Pear Trees . Bare root stock should be planted in winter, while raspberries and … Where to plant your fruit tree s Consider heeling-in the new trees over the winter somewhere safe, and then plant in spring (before they come out of dormancy). Best Apple Trees for Southern Climates. Here is the thing…. Rainy or overcast weather is perfect. Best planted in winter, however, they can also be planted in other seasons. Container-grown trees can be planted at any time during the period September to early May. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! This is actually the very best time to plant an apple tree, as it allows the tree roots to fully establish themselves, giving your apple tree a head start for the spring. ), but certain varieties have been bred to suit warm and even sub-tropical regions. Apply most fertilizers by sprinkling them evenly on the ground at the base of the tree trunks, and then water that ground well. Spring planting gives trees enough time to prepare for fall's early freeze. As long as the ground isn't too frozen to dig a hole, you should be good to go. Planting in the late winter or early spring is generally the best time to get your new fruit trees in the ground. (Fall) For a few reasons…. Like this season. If you're planting over summer make sure you water the plants well. Regardless of location, trees need adequate time to root, especially in areas with hot, dry summers. Fall is a wonderful time to plant trees and the apple tree is one of the easiest fruit trees to grow. This means the best time to order is over the summer, even if you won't be planting the trees until the following spring. Embed the bottom of each cylinder about 1 inch into the soil. Surprisingly, how to choose an apple tree is easy to learn as well. Direct the growth of each young apple tree by bending its branches horizontally for several weeks. There is some benefit to planting in the period September to November, but not significant. The best time to do this is in early spring. However Fall planting is only advisable if minimum winter temperatures are not likely to be much below freezing. Keep in mind that apple trees are healthier when they are initially planted outdoors instead of in pots. You have decided to grow some fruit trees and the moment has arrived – your new trees are here. By Deborah Stone PUBLISHED: 14:26, Thu, Sep 24, 2015 The application method may differ among fertilizer brands. Many apple trees are available all year-round, but winter is the optimum time to plant and when the widest variety will be available in stores. Cool days that follow the planting will help your apple tree establish its root season and begin to grow during the summer. The exact month for planting depends on where you live and our spring shipping dates give a rough indication of the best time in your state. Faster-growing apple trees probably don't need nitrogen; so when their new growth appears in early spring, supply each of them with 1 pound of sulfate of potash per every 5 bushels of apples you harvested the past year. For maximum fruiting, apples must have another variety that flowers at the same time and is within bee-travelling distance. Bare-root plants should be planted from late autumn until early spring; containerised plants can be planted … Please order over the preceding summer. Selecting the right location and planting your apple trees at the right time of year play a huge role in determining when juicy, crisp fruit develops on your tree. Nearly all apple trees require a … Plant apple trees in the late fall in warmer regions that do not experience heavy freezing over the winter. 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