In autumn, many vegetables and fruits are ready for harvest. Depending on the variety, apples are also usually harvested in the fall, but certain care measures must also be carried out at the same time in order to secure the next year's harvest.
How do I care for my apple tree in autumn?
Apple tree care is important in autumn: apples should be picked carefully to avoid damage. Remove leaves to prevent fungal infestation and possibly carry out a rejuvenation cut. Liming the area around the trunk promotes the he alth of the tree.
The correct harvest of apples
In autumn, lots of apples fresh from the tree are a real delicacy. Ideally, these are picked by hand from the ladder and the stem is gently twisted off the branch so as not to break any branches. In addition, apples, with the exception of cider apples, are not shaken from the tree, otherwise when they fall they will cause pressure points, which will significantly shorten the apples' shelf life. If there is a rich harvest, it is not only possible to store apples for the winter and spring, but also to process them into delicious apple juice. Wineries often do this for a relatively low fee, but for larger quantities it may be worth purchasing your own juicer.
Laying the foundation for the next year in autumn
It's not just the harvest that should determine work in the garden in autumn. Also check the results of main spring pruning and summer pruning at this time of year. If twigs or branches have snapped under the weight of large apples, they can now be removed before winter. The apple tree is one of the fruit tree species that can be cut at different times of the year:
- in January to March
- in June and July, including removal of excess apples
- for correction in autumn
In autumn, a so-called rejuvenation cut can also be carried out, in which an old apple tree has its crown thinned out so much that it can sprout with new vitality.
Tips & Tricks
In autumn, after the harvest, a lot of leaves fall off the branches of the apple tree. This should not simply be left lying on the ground under the treetop, especially in shady areas. Otherwise it could have a promoting effect on possible fungal infestation. It is better to let the resulting leaves compost on a compost heap some distance away and to do this by liming the apple tree around the trunk.
