Spring is here, and so is the perfect time to plant apple trees! Burnett’s Country Gardens in Salem, CT is excited to announce that we are now open for the season, and to celebrate, we’re offering a fantastic Burnett’s Grown apple tree sale. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning to grow your own orchard, we have everything you need to ensure your apple trees thrive.
Planting apple trees is a rewarding experience, but success comes down to a few key tips. Here are 5 essential tips for planting apple trees that will give you beautiful, fruitful trees for years to come.
1. Variety & Purpose: Choose the Right Apple Tree for Your Needs
Different apple trees serve different purposes, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you plant. Whether you’re hoping to bite into a crisp, fresh apple, bake the perfect pie, or make your own cider, there’s an apple tree for you!
At Burnett’s Garden Center, we offer the following varieties of Burnett’s Grown apple trees:
- Semi Dwarf Fuji Apples: Crisp, sweet, and perfect for fresh eating.
- Standard Gala Apples: Great for snacking and baking.
- Arkansas Black Apples: Excellent for baking with a deep flavor.
- Cortland Dwarf Apples: Tart apples, perfect for pies.
- Granny Smith Apples: Tart and great for both baking and fresh eating.
- Red Delicious Apples: A classic sweet apple.
- Standard Red Delicious Apples: A popular, sweet apple for snacking.
- Standard Pink Lady Apples: A favorite for their crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor (Ingrid’s favorite!).
- Yellow Delicious Apples: A sweet, mellow option.
- Cortland Dwarf Apples: Another great option for tart, crisp apples.
- Standard Fuji Apples: Known for their balance of sweet and crisp texture.
2. Pollination Needs: Cross-Pollination is Must
Our Burnett’s Grown apple trees require a second tree for cross-pollination to bear fruit. This is essential for apple trees to produce fruit, so it’s important to select compatible varieties. For example, Standard Red Delicious and Granny Smith work well together for cross-pollination.
Our knowledgeable staff at Burnett’s Country Gardens can help guide you to the perfect tree pairings for optimal fruit production. We can also recommend other fruiting trees that don’t require another tree for pollination if you prefer a solitary tree. Ask us about our cross pollination chart!
3. Pest Control, Disease Control and Fertilization: Keep Your Trees Strong
To help your apple trees thrive, use a good quality fruit tree spray, such as our staff preferred Fertilome brand. It is essential to treat fruit trees regularly with a fungicide and an insecticide to insure a healthy tree and more importantly to grow an abundance of quality fruit. We also suggest fertilizing with Jobe’s Fruit Tree Spikes—an easy way to ensure your tree gets the nutrients it needs. Fertilization is especially important during the growing season, but don’t overdo it. Check the label for application guidance to make sure you’re giving your tree just what it needs. Find everything you need in store!
4. Sunlight & Airflow: Vital for Healthy Trees
Apple trees love the sun! Choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight and is well-ventilated to help prevent the growth of fungus and disease. Good airflow around the tree is important for keeping the tree healthy. Make sure to plant your apple tree in an area where it has plenty of room to spread out and breathe.
For best results, keep the area free of excessive shade and ensure that the tree gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
5. Pruning: Essential for Healthy, Productive Apple Trees
Pruning is crucial to maintaining healthy, productive apple trees. Although it’s not necessary to prune your apple tree during its first year, it’s important to get into the habit of pruning to ensure good structure and fruit production. Winter pruning is recommended for shaping the tree and removing dead wood, while summer pruning is great for maintaining growth and controlling size.
Pruning also helps prevent branches from snapping due to the weight of the fruit. Make sure to maintain the tree and prune regularly to prevent the tree from becoming overgrown and untidy.
Remember, apple trees are hardy in Zone 6b (our area), so all the varieties we offer will do well here. With the right care, your tree will produce delicious fruit year after year.
Stop by Burnett’s Garden Center in Salem, CT
We are thrilled to offer these wonderful Burnett’s Grown apple trees, perfect for the season! Stop by Burnett’s Country Gardens to pick out the ideal variety for your garden, and take advantage of our apple tree sale while supplies last.
For more tips and guidance on planting and caring for your apple trees, feel free to ask our experts—we’re here to help! Plus, don’t forget to check out our blog for more gardening advice and inspiration.
Happy planting, and we look forward to helping you grow your garden! 🍏🌳