Apple tree care advice/ideas

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robinahood

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Apple tree care advice/ideas
« on: February 04, 2018, 09:42 »
I have an allotment with a mature apple tree which had useful fruit last year (got the plot in March). I have dug out a lot of shallowly buried stuff from around the base of the tree in particular carpet and glass. I have read that you shouldn't grow anything under an apple tree as it competes, however I don't want bare soil. What works for you?  If it looks nice so much the better!!!

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Goosegirl

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Re: Apple tree care advice/ideas
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2018, 13:28 »
You could plant some snowdrops and crocuses for spring colour, sow some small wild flowers for summer, and for autumn some outdoor cyclamen.
I work very hard so don't expect me to think as well.

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Christine

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Re: Apple tree care advice/ideas
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2018, 13:40 »
Now is the time to give that tree a good mulching of well rotted compost to encourage it to fruit. If you've been taking out carpet, glass and other stuff the soil won't be grand so anything that helps the tree will be worth it.  I would be leaving bare soil this season after mulching to give it a fair chance and continue clearing away from it. Next winter before buds show you could well prune it. Give it a good mulch again next year.

If you don't want bare earth how about using small tubs with whatever in them. That way you can change with the seasons - herbs would be good and productive and they flower at the end of their season. I put mint in tubs to stop it taking over the world.

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New shoot

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Re: Apple tree care advice/ideas
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2018, 16:09 »
Woodland strawberries are shallow rooted and might be nice.  They are dead easy from seed, flower on and off all summer and the fruit is tiny, but amazingly fragrant and delicious :)

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AlaninCarlisle

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Re: Apple tree care advice/ideas
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2018, 17:44 »
I have rhubarb under one of mine. They happily share the copious amounts of horse muck that I put there every autumn

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hasbeans

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Re: Apple tree care advice/ideas
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2018, 06:43 »
I put perennial salad under my tree - lovage, salad burnet, herb fennel, Sorrel and wild rocket about 3 years ago.  Tree still produces well and I don't need to plant any salad leaves until autumn.

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robinahood

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Re: Apple tree care advice/ideas
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2018, 19:14 »
Some great ideas there, thanks, just have to make a decision now!



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