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

2. 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

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

4. 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.

5. C HOOSING 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

6. 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. 1-888-258-0808

7. P ROPER PLANTING TECHNIQUE Bare root plantingContainer planting http://www.sustland.umn.edu/implement/images/planting_trees_2. gif

8. D ECISIONS AFTER PLANTING How much should I mulch? http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/uf/tom/090202_tom_hr.pdf

9. D ECISIONS AFTER PLANTING Do I need to fertilize? http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/graphics/1000/apply_fertilizer.jp g

10. D ECISIONS AFTER PLANTING How much should I water? http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/uf/tom/090202_tom_hr.pdf

11. D ECISIONS AFTER PLANTING Is pruning needed? http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1150.html

12. 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?

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

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

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

16. P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Options for those with low tolerance

17. 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.

18. P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Pests of Apple in Minnesota Apple Maggot http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor

19. P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Pests of Apple in Minnesota Codling Moth http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor

20. P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Pests of Apple in Minnesota Plum Curculio http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor

21. P EST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Pests of Apple in Minnesota Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/m1235.html#apple-maggot-anchor

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. C HOOSING AN APPLE TREE VARIETY

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

26. 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. www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1111 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 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 www.extension.umn.edu/garden