BACKYARD SUCCESS WITH APPLES

Created by: Dave KnappUniversity of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener-Anoka County

BACKYARD SUCCESS WITH APPLES

Selecting a planting site Proper planting technique Decisions after planting Pruning for fruit trees Pest and disease management Choosing an apple tree variety

CHOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY

Consult a reliable source for varieties developed for our area

Know your fruit hardiness zone Follow your tastebuds

CHOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY

Apple varieties for MinnesotaZestar- ripens in late August and has a delightful balance of flavors. Sweet 16- one of the most unusual flavored apples in Minnesota. Very sweet with a flavor like cherry candy. Honeycrisp- Minnesota’s premier eating apple with a sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture.

CHOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY Know your fruit

hardiness zoneThe Minnesota Metro area, including Anoka County, is in zone 4a.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/images/1111f02.jpg

SELECT A PLANTING SITE

What space requirements are needed for the variety of tree selected?

Are any soil amendments necessary? Call for a free utility marking service to

identify buried utilities. 1-888-258-0808

PROPER PLANTING TECHNIQUE

Bare root planting Container planting

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DECISIONS AFTER PLANTING

How much should I mulch?

http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/uf/tom/090202_tom_hr.pdf

DECISIONS AFTER PLANTING

Do I need to fertilize?

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/graphics/1000/apply_fertilizer.jpg

DECISIONS AFTER PLANTING How much should I

water?

http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/uf/tom/090202_tom_hr.pdf

DECISIONS AFTER PLANTING

Is pruning needed?

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1150.html

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Integrated Pest ManagementWhat are my choices for dealing with pests?What are the risks involved with each choice?What is my attitude toward those risks?

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

What are key diseases I may encounter?

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

What pests may I expect to bother my tree or fruit?

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Best cultural practices for good tree health.

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Options for those with low tolerance

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Key diseases of Apple in MinnesotaApple scab-caused by a fungus that affects both leaves and fruit. Fire Blight- a bacterial disease that can kill blossoms, green shoots, branches and trees. Black Rot- a fungal disease that is an occasional problem on stressed trees. Cedar Apple Rust- a fungal disease that damages leaves and fruit of very susceptible varieties. Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck- a fungal disease that causes cosmetic damage to fruit in August or September.

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Pests of Apple in MinnesotaApple Maggot

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Pests of Apple in MinnesotaCodling Moth

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Pests of Apple in MinnesotaPlum Curculio

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Pests of Apple in MinnesotaMulticolored Asian Lady Beetle

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

If you choose to spray:o Use something recommended for the pest or

disease you are managing. o Read the label prior to use and follow all

instructions. o Verify that the spray is recommended for edible

fruits. o Some sprays are very toxic to bees and may

cause fruit drop if used within 30 days of bloom.

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Cultural practices for good tree health.

o Consider a disease resistant variety.o Do not encourage vigorous new growth.o Warm, humid environments encourage bacteria.

Pruning opens air flow and reduces humidity.o Pick up dropped fruit and all leaves in the Fall.o Prune during freezing weather (Feb-March)o Mulch becomes dirt, so replace mulch as it

deteriorates.o Consider non-spray treatments, fruit bagging, red

sphere or Ladd traps.

CHOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY

CHOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY

http://www.co.sheboygan.wi.us/county_depts/lwc/tree_sale/Trees/HONEYCRISP%20APPLE.jpg

RESOURCES AND RECOMMENDED READING. Apples For Minnesota and Their Culinary Uses. Includes

the Fruit Hardiness Zone Map, identifies 22 apple varieties and discusses storing options. www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1111

Integrated Pest Management for Home Apple Growers. Introduces Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a combination method for monitoring and managing pest and disease issues in apples. Discusses identification, biology and management options for key diseases and pests of apples in Minnesota. www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/M1235

University of Minnesota Extension home gardening information, including how to plant trees and shrubs. www.extension.umn.edu/garden