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Growing Apples in North Dakota

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

Growing apples can be fascinating and fun. Selecting a variety suited to the climate, and planting where it is protected from wind, is important in North Dakota. The short growing season places a limit on planting late-season varieties. Most apple trees do well on any good garden soil. But fruit trees do not like "wet feet," so good drainage is necessary. Early spring planting is recommended.

Buy fruit trees from your area nursery. Normally they handle trees propagated on hardy rootstocks. To date none of the dwarfing rootstocks have proved reliably hardy under North Dakota conditions. Therefore, we do not recommend planting dwarf apple trees.

Select apple varieties that are hardy, disease-resistant and that will mature their fruit before October 10th. It is necessary to plant two varieties of apples for cross pollination. The varieties Red Duchess, Hazen, and Haralson are the best varietal choices for general planting in North Dakota. For a crabapple, Chestnut is superb.

For more information see Circular H-327, "Tree Fruit Culture and Varieties in North Dakota," available from your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

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For More Information Contact your North Dakota County Extension Office of the NDSU Extension Service for additional information or see our main NDSU Web Page for publications and articles on Agriculture, Horticulture, Youth and Family, Business and Community and Food and Nutrition at  http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/