More apples from an old tree: Gardening tips

Old apple trees tend to fruit less, and it's a natural process - at some point, you have to plant new trees instead of old ones.

Meanwhile, if your old apple tree still produces fruits, you can do a few things to make your harvest bigger.

Let's find out more about it.

Pruning

Trim the tree's branches to remove dead or overgrown ones. 

This allows more sunlight and air to reach the remaining branches, which can help with fruit production.

Fertilizing

Give the tree the nutrients it needs by adding compost or a balanced fertilizer to the soil around its base. 

This provides essential food for the tree to produce more apples.

Watering

Ensure the tree gets enough water, especially during dry periods. Consistent watering helps the tree develop healthy fruit.

Thinning

If the tree produces too many apples, they might be small and not very tasty. 

Remove some of the smaller or crowded fruits when they're still small to give the remaining ones more space to grow.

Pest Control

Protect the tree from pests and diseases by regularly inspecting it and using appropriate treatments if needed.

Pollination

Apple trees need pollinators, like bees, to produce fruit. Encourage pollinators to visit your garden by planting flowers nearby.

Mulching

Apply mulch (like wood chips or straw) around the base of the tree to help conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weeds that could compete with the tree.

Support

If the branches are heavy with fruit, consider propping them up with supports to prevent them from breaking.

Conclusion

Even though these tips can help, you'll still need to plant new trees eventually.
 

• Related news:
• trees
• fruits
• apples
• tips
• 30 September 2023

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