B ACKYARD S UCCESS W ITH A PPLES Created by: Dave Knapp University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener-Anoka County

B ACKYARD S UCCESS W ITH A PPLES Selecting a planting site Proper planting technique Decisions after planting Pruning for fruit trees Pest and disease management Choosing an apple tree variety

C HOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY Consult a reliable source for varieties developed for our area Know your fruit hardiness zone Follow your tastebuds

C HOOSING 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.

C HOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY Know your fruit hardiness zone The Minnesota Metro area, including Anoka County, is in zone 4a.

S ELECT 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

P ROPER PLANTING TECHNIQUE Bare root plantingContainer planting gif

D ECISIONS AFTER PLANTING How much should I mulch?

D ECISIONS AFTER PLANTING Do I need to fertilize? g

D ECISIONS AFTER PLANTING How much should I water?

D ECISIONS AFTER PLANTING Is pruning needed?

P EST AND D ISEASE M ANAGEMENT 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?

P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT What are key diseases I may encounter?

P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT What pests may I expect to bother my tree or fruit?

P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Best cultural practices for good tree health.

P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Options for those with low tolerance

P EST 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.

P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Pests of Apple in Minnesota Apple Maggot

P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Pests of Apple in Minnesota Codling Moth

P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Pests of Apple in Minnesota Plum Curculio

P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Pests of Apple in Minnesota Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle

P EST 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.

P EST 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.

C HOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY

R ESOURCES AND RECOMMENDED READING. Apples For Minnesota and Their Culinary Uses. Includes the Fruit Hardiness Zone Map, identifies 22 apple varieties and discusses storing options. 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. nts/M nts/M1235 University of Minnesota Extension home gardening information, including how to plant trees and shrubs.