Got some apple trees for the allotment

[CuriousMama]

Well, Dp did yesterday. Says we have to soak them first, dig big holes and put compost in? I hope they survive. I know I'll cry if they don't.

Does anyone know if rabbits would gnaw at them? Will I need to protect them somehow?

Ds2 loves apples so if we manage to get any of the eating ones don't think there'll be many left to fall?

I'm watching this space with interest as I have one to plant. Can you plant it in this weather or have you to wait till the weather has got better?

It says on mine plan asap? As long as the ground isn't too frosty and dry. Ours is fine. I need to get some compost can get that in the village.

You need to stake them as well. Drive the stake in after you have dug the planting hole, it needs to be at least another foot deeper. Soak the tree roots in a bucket of water for a couple of hours before planting and water (at least a canful) every day for a few months unless you have proper rain.

Check what apple trees you have as the rootstock will determine the final size to ensure you don't plant them too close together.

I know of allotments that don't allow trees, I presume you have checked that you are ok to plant trees.

You can buy deer/rabbit guardsn from most garden centres.

Thanks for that Bienchen. Yes they allow them, there's a good few nearby. Thanks for the staking tip. I guess I'll have to visit the allotment daily then? Or else bribe the dcs into going down?

Or pray for very very wet weather for weeks ;) If my kids are anything to go by, I best water myself, their idea of a good soak is somewhat different from mine.

There should be a label on your tree to tell you the variety and you can look up whether they are a cooker or eater (desert apple).

Homegrown apples are fabulous!

We have a cooker and eater. My dcs are older, 11 and 14 so should take the apple growing seriously? Especially ds2, he's keener than ds1.

Bienchen do you have a large garden or allotment?

Neither but I am a gardener and I am looking after several gardens with fruit trees. If I ever win the lottery I will have a bigger garden for myself and work less for other people ;)

Very jealous! Enjoy your trees.

What an interesting job to have

You can get some excellent guidance on fruit tree pruning on the internet. It is worth attending to this from the start. DH and I have just had to do remedial pruning on DPiL's apple tree because of long-term neglect.

Have a look at your varieties and see what polination groups they belong to.

Enjoy your trees. I am looking to get more fruit from my allotment as I think fruit is really good value for money.