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Backyard Success With Apples. Created by: Dave Knapp University 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
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Backyard Success With Apples Created by: Dave Knapp University 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 Minnesota Zestar- 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 zone The 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 http://www.sustland.umn.edu/implement/images/planting_trees_2.gif
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 Management What 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 Minnesota Apple 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 Minnesota Apple Maggot http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor
Pest and disease management • Pests of Apple in Minnesota Codling Moth http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor
Pest and disease management • Pests of Apple in Minnesota Plum Curculio http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor
Pest and disease management • Pests of Apple in Minnesota Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor
Pest and disease management • If you choose to spray: • Use something recommended for the pest or disease you are managing. • Read the label prior to use and follow all instructions. • Verify that the spray is recommended for edible fruits. • 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. • Consider a disease resistant variety. • Do not encourage vigorous new growth. • Warm, humid environments encourage bacteria. Pruning opens air flow and reduces humidity. • Pick up dropped fruit and all leaves in the Fall. • Prune during freezing weather (Feb-March) • Mulch becomes dirt, so replace mulch as it deteriorates. • Consider non-spray treatments, fruit bagging, red sphere or Ladd traps.
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