Apple tree care -- October

OCTOBER TREE CARE 200

October is the time to check and cut back on watering and to start preparing the trees for the winter. Check the moisture of the soil just outside the drip line of the tree (to avoid root damage). Soil should be moist, but not wet. Test by digging a small hole about 6 “deep and take a small amount of soil from the lower part of the hole. Squeeze the sample in your hand; if the soil breaks apart slightly when you release the pressure, the soil is just right. If you have a solid mud ball, cut back on watering.

Be sure to pick up and discard any fallen fruit to remove insect eggs and larvae in the fruit. Rake the mulch, leaves, and other debris away from the trunk; leave about a foot of clear space for young trees and 18 to 24 inches for older trees.

Many varieties of apples ripen in October. Apples are ripe when the pips (seeds) are dark brown to black. To properly pick, twist the apple and lift; it should come off easily in your hand. Don’t jerk the fruit as it will damage or break off the fruiting spur. Some apples need to be eaten immediately or they will get soft and mushy. Many late varieties, however, will keep crisp and well into the winter. Try storing your apples in a paper bag, box, or breathable plastic to let them ripen and develop more flavor. I put mine in my unheated, un-insulated garage last year; some, like Honeycrisp and Newtown Pippin were crisp and firm (and very flavorful) in March (when I ate the last one. Also, don’t worry about picking before the first frost. The apples will not be damaged by a frost that kills the tomatoes and the flavor of those apples may be further developed and enhanced—ditto with carrots.

For folks who have seen rabbits, moles, voles, gophers, etc in their yards, you will want to put on a plastic tree guard or a wire guard (like ¼ inch hardware cloth) around the trunk. These are just for the winter and need to be removed in the spring. (If not removed in May, earwigs will nest inside the plastic and the tree will grow into the wire). You will also want to trap or otherwise eradicate these pests that eat the bark and or roots this winter.

Hope you are all enjoying the fall.

Michael
9/27/08