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.jp
g
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.
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.
o
PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cultural practices for good tree health.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
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
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/compone
nts/M1235
University of Minnesota Extension home gardening
information, including how to plant trees and shrubs.
www.extension.umn.edu/garden