A garden is more than just a pretty backdrop or a source of local produce: it’s a living system, and the plants you choose can play an important role in its health and biodiversity. According to Saltuk Doganci, home gardener and founder of Brick My Walls, one of the most beneficial additions you can make is a surprising classic: the apple tree. Sure, it offers yummy fruit for snacking & cooking, but its value goes far beyond the harvest. And best of all, it’s a lifetime investment: a well-maintained, mature apple tree can live up to 100 years. A dwarf variety can live up to 20 years.
While raking leaves may seem like a seasonal chore, Doganci considers apple leaves an important natural mulch. “Every fallen leaves form a layer of compost that feeds worms, its help for the growth of mycorrhizal fungi, & retains moisture,” he told Food Republic. In other words, they help fertilize the soil, nourish neighbouring plants, and prevent the soil from drying out.
In spring, the Apple Trees are also among the first to bloom, allowing native bees, hoverflies, and lacewings to access them earlier, explains Doganci. These insects then reciprocate by feeding on harmful pests like aphids on neighbouring vegetables. Apple trees even serve as perches for birds, providing an ideal vantage point for spotting garden grubs. explains Doganci, “you harvesting the fruit like apple & you can also a micro ecosystem that stabilizes soil, buffers temperature fluctuations, & promotes biodiversity.”
Apple tree growing tips
for good fruiting, as well as full sun exposure in spring and summer. If you live in an apple-friendly region, having the necessary skills (and patience) will be a rewarding way to enhance your garden.
As for variety, Saltuk Doganci suggests newer varieties that are resistant to common fungal diseases like apple scab. “I like Pristine for its acidity and early ripening, Freedom for its mid-season sweetness that keeps well, and North pole for tight spaces,” he said. Doganci also explained that these varieties are not only disease-resistant, but when grown together, they can even cross-pollinate Apple Trees.
there are many variety of apple trees for making the applesauce, as it pairs well with mix of sweet & tart apples. For making off an apple pie, these things make is more tasty by adding the apples are also a mix, like Honey & Granny Smith. Leftover apples can be turned into a delicious snack, caffeine-free tea, or even dug into the soil to add nutrients like potassium to the rest of your garden Apple Trees. Best of all, you can use every piece of fruit in this apple pie recipe.
