Apple
T
here is a well-established myth that in the
midst of the Garden of Eden, there was an
apple tree, and that this may have been the so
called forbidden fruit. While I know of no-
body who can prove or disprove this (since the
fruit itself is never described), it is unlikely that
Adam and Eve would have made it in a climate
that featured up to 1,000 “chilling hours” with
out clothing!
I was delighted to learn that our plot of land
is a more-or-less (nothing is perfect) ideal spot
on which to grow a small orchard of highly
prized apples. And so, with the guidance of the
experts from the Washington State University
Extension Service, Horticultural Division, in
Mt. Vernon, Washington, I have planted six
dwarf trees of the Honeycrisp cultivar and six
other trees of a mix of apples that are well
proven in this area and appear to be able to
coexist.
I wanted trees that would not grow above
10 feet, so that their fruit would be easy to
reach; that were good bearers; and, I hoped,
that would make it without harsh chemical
sprays during the fruiting season. So I have
planted Jonagold, Gravenstein, Spartan, and
Akane, all dwarves that can be topped at 8–10
feet.
Apple trees can tolerate winter temperatures
as low as −40ºF. In fact, each variety requires a
certain number of chilling hours each winter,
which is the number of hours at 45ºF or below.
Chilling hours can vary from 1,000 or more to
as few as 400 hours. Choose an apple variety
suited to your climate and winter temperatures.
Trees can be purchased bare root, balled
and burlapped, or in a container. Bare-root and
balled-and-burlapped trees are available in the
winter and early spring , when the trees are dor
mant and without leaves. A container-grown
tree can be planted any time during the grow
ing season. Remove the container carefully and
plant the root ball at the same depth as the
container.
Once correctly planted and supported with
a good 2-inch-diameter stake, there is little to
do but spread good compost around the tree in
the spring and water well. Please seek good
local advice on how and when to prune.
You will need two trees that cross-pollinate.
Again, your nursery will help with your perfect
choice.
The Numbers
Per 100 g raw (3.5 oz ; 1 medium): 52 calories, 0 g fat,
0 g saturated fat, 14 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 2 g
dietary fiber, 1 mg sodium
62 • GROWING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE
