How To Grow Apples

• Pick a location with plenty of sunlight, as apple trees require eight-ten hours of sunlight daily. 
• Apple trees grow best in the early spring and late winter seasons, so make sure to plant them just before the season starts to get good growth.  
• Apple trees prefer a little acidic soil. Its acidity should be between 6.3 and 6.7 pH level. Conduct a soil pH test to check if the soil is right.  
• If the pH is not acidic enough, you can add sulfur to it to make it viable to use. Use a big trowel to dig holes all over the ground and mix sulfur or peat moss in it. Mix it well with the soil and smooth the surface. 
• The soil should be well-drained so that the water and air will flow easily, so make sure you have raised beds if possible. It will also prevent root rot. 

While learning how to grow apples, you should know that there are two ways to plant an apple tree: one is by seed and the other is by planting the root ball taken from another apple tree.  

• The root ball will bear fruits early, but if you want to see the plant grow from the beginning, you can go for seed.  
• Dig a hole big and deep enough using a trowel to fit the root ball inside. 
• Check for any damaged parts in the root ball, like bad leaves and pull them out with your hand.  
• Gently loosen the root ball with your hands to help the roots spread more easily. This will help the ball settle and mix with the soil easily. 
• Put the ball inside the hole and fill the hole up to the crown, i.e., from where the shoots and leaves start.  
• Put a mulch layer over the soil and mix it with a garden fork. This helps to make the soil more fertile. 

• Mulching helps to capture moisture and suppress weeds.It should be applied both at the time of planting and regularly throughout the growth period, alongside fertilizer application. 
• Watering should be done regularly, especially during the first few months, to help the plant gain strong roots. An inch of water per week is a must, either from rainfall or manual watering.

Pruning is important in apple trees, as they grow very large and wide if you want to give them a shape or prevent them from dead leaves and rot. It also helps in getting the plant proper sunlight and air. 

• Thin out the center of the tree to allow more light to reach the inner branches using a pruning sheer or saw if the branch is big. 
• You should start pruning in late winter when the plant is still in its growth stage.

• Using organic pest control methods, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, it helps prevent pests and less impact on plant quality, making them ideal for keeping pests away. 
• Fungal diseases can be prevented by regularly pruning, allowing proper air circulation. Also, avoid wetting the leaves during watering. 
• Thinning is done when the fruits start to appear. To get good, plump apples later, remove the small ones that are rotten or have holes in them when they are small.  
• Leave spaces between the fruits to let them grow to full size. This also works well to prevent rot from the neighboring fruit.