'An apple a day, keeps the doctor away', and it's not just a saying, it's the truth.
Apple is the most popular fruit that contains an impressive list of essential nutrients.
There are many interesting facts about this wonder fruit apple; one of the most famous stories is on the 'Adam's apple'.
The story claims that in the Garden of Eden, Adam ate a piece of the forbidden fruit that got stuck in his throat, and thus the term Adam's Apple.
The larynx or also called the voice box is in the throat and this lump grow much bigger for boys and hence they acquire a deeper voice.
It takes the shape of an apple stuck in the throat, just like the one Adam ate.
Another interesting and famous tale is when an Apple was placed on the head of William Tell's son and Tell was dictated to split the apple with his bow and arrow or lose his son.
Naturally, Tell won in piercing the apple into two halves and saved his son's life.
Apple trees are deciduous which are primarily grow in the northern hemisphere.
Growing apple tree in your garden is indeed satisfying and pleasing experience.
Who hasn't at one time or another yearned to walk down the garden and pick a very fresh, crunchy, juicy apple from a tree and savoir it right on the spot.
However, there are many factors to think before growing apple trees in our home garden, and here's a are a few important factors: The Size Factor - The first consideration is the size of the apple tree.
Apple trees come up primarily as a scion and then engraft onto a rootstalk.
The type of rootstalk will determine the size of the tree.
Some rootstalks will give rise to a well-sized tree, while others will produce dwarf-tree.
For a home garden, growing dwarfed apple trees is a better option and a good choice for amateur gardeners.
The Pollen Factor - Not all apple trees are self-sterile and do require the pollen from other apple trees to produce fruits.
This means only one apple tree in the garden may not be able to produce fruits.
To get tasty apple fruits, plant various different salmagundis of apple trees which have similar blooming times, so that you can allow for cross-pollination between them.
This will produce more abundant and healthier fruits.
There are some varieties of apple trees that pollinate better than others, select them carefully.
Bees chiefly attempt the transfer of pollen grains from one tree to another.
So try to encourage these insects into your home garden and abstain from using insecticides during the period bees are active.
The Taste Factor - What kind of apple do you want - a desert type or a much more acidic cooking apple? Next, ask yourself if you like your dessert apples crisp or soft, mild and sweet or more acidic and full-tasting.
Do you want your fruit to last well into the spring - the combinations are almost endless, so it's best to consult the gardener and decide which apple tree you want to grow.
Start Your Apple Garden! November is the perfect month to plant the apple tree, but you can also plant in March as well.
Apple trees are commonly sold bare rooted; select the variety you want and make sure that they are healthy.
Ensure the roots of the apple tree to are moist and plant as soon as you get home.
Here's how to do it: Step 1 - Dig a big hole in the desired spot, which is big enough to hold the roots.
Step 2 - Place the rootstalk gently in the ground making sure the roots are not embroiled.
Check whether you have kept the graft well above the soil level.
You can support the tree with a strong stake until it's established.
Step 3 - Fill the hole with soil and mulch and water well.
Ensure it retains moisture and avoid weeds.
Step 4 - This is also the time to install a vole guard around the trunk the apple trees, letting it protrude about 10" above ground level.
Step 5 - After planting, keep watering it everyday and wait until just before the buds start to grow to start pruning.
When the plant is 3 to 4 inches long, identify the most upright shoot that will be the central leader.
Leave that alone and remove all new shoots growing 3 to 4 inches immediately below the central leader.
This will also encourage lateral growth.
When the branches are 3 to 6 inches long, they should be spread to a wider angle that will provide a stronger framework for fruit production.
This angle will slow vegetative growth, promote lateral branches, and allow the tree to initiate flowers and produce fruit sooner.
When your wonder tree starts to bear fruit, just remove apples from the tree by unwaveringly keeping the attachment of the stem and gently twisting the fruit till it detaches.