How to Successfully Pollinate Apple Trees
Do you have an apple tree in your back yard?
Apples are number 1 on the annual dirty dozen list for 3 years in a row. The dirty dozen is a list of fruits and vegetables put together by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) every year. The list is complied by testing the pesticides levels on over 50 fruits and vegetables. Then, they are put together a list each year based on how high the pesticide levels are.
Purchasing Apples Organically
The last few years haven’t been great for apples. Typically, it is recommended that you purchase organic fruit and vegetables that are on the dirty dozen. However, purchasing organic is not always friendly to everyone’s budget.
One of the best ways to lower the pesticide levels is to grow your own. Last year, we wrote 2 articles on how to grow your own apples called,
Today’s article could have been titled part 3, but we want to focus in on pollinating your apple trees at home. Let’s take a look at 2 tips on pollinating your apples tree that will provide you with the best tasting organic apples around.
2 Tips on How to Pollinate Apple Trees
- Plant Two Different Varieties of Apple Trees
Just when you thought one apple tree was enough, we are telling you that you need twp. Here is the thing though. It is rare that an apple tree is self pollinating. What that means is for there to be success in pollination at all, you need at least two different types of apple trees. - Plant The Two Apple Trees 100 Feet of Each Other
According to Organic Gardening, apple trees need to be planted no more than 100 feet from each other to be certain that pollinators visit each tree. Pollinators help to transfer pollen from one variety to another and include bees, flies and certain wasps.
By using these 2 tips, you will have more fruitful apple tree and you won’t have to worry about the pesticide levels. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and don’t forget to tell us about your weekend project in the comments below.
