How to Manage Pests

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Long summer days, cool nights, and a mostly dry season are ideal conditions for growing fruit trees. Fruit trees require freezing or close to freezing temperatures during the winter, but generally need at least 150 days between the last spring frost and the first fall frost so that blossoms are not damaged in spring and so that the fruit will mature in the fall.

Apples do best in areas with full sun and well-drained soils at least 6 feet deep. Plant in unshaded areas as much as possible to prevent diseases. The best soils are fertile, slightly acidic sandy loam soils. Avoid sandy, high clay, or shallow soils. Apples are best adapted to areas with adequate chilling hours for most varieties--1,200 to 1,500 hours below 45° F to fully satisfy the chilling requirement. However, some varieties will produce with less. In areas with a maritime climate, choose low-chill varieties.

Do not plant in low spots or areas that flood frequently. If you are planting on a site where the soil is shallow because of a hardpan, break through the hardpan when preparing for planting. Do not plant trees too close together, as this may cause poor growth.