How to Plant Golden Delicious Apple Trees

Golden Delicious apple trees produce crisp, juicy fruit with a sweet flavor that is popular for eating, baking, and canning. If you want to enjoy these delicious apples straight from your own backyard, you can plant a Golden Delicious apple tree in your garden. Follow these instructions to successfully plant and care for a Golden Delicious apple tree:

Prepare the Soil

The first step to planting your Golden Delicious apple tree is to prepare the soil. Choose a spot in your garden that has good drainage and plenty of sunlight. Golden Delicious apple trees prefer loamy soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Use a soil test kit to check the pH of the soil in the area where you plan to plant the tree.

If the soil is too acidic, add lime to raise the pH. If the soil is too alkaline, add sulfur to lower the pH. You can also improve the soil by working compost, aged manure, or other organic matter into the top six inches of soil.

Plant the Tree

Once you have prepared the soil, it's time to plant your Golden Delicious apple tree. First, dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the tree's root ball. Set the tree in the hole, and fill in the hole with soil, making sure that the graft union is above the soil level. Gently tamp down the soil around the tree, and water it well.

If you are planting more than one Golden Delicious apple tree, space them at least 20 feet apart. This will give each tree enough room to grow and spread its roots.

Care for the Tree

To help your Golden Delicious apple tree grow strong and healthy, you will need to give it some regular care. Water the tree deeply once a week, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the base of the tree to help it retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Prune the tree in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or diseased wood, and to shape the tree. Thin out any excess branches to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration. This will help prevent disease and promote healthy fruit growth.

You may also need to apply fertilizer to your Golden Delicious apple tree to provide it with the nutrients it needs to produce plenty of high-quality fruit. Use a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10, applied according to the package instructions.

Harvesting the Fruit

After a few years of growth, your Golden Delicious apple tree will begin to produce fruit. Wait until the apples are fully ripe before picking them. They should be firm and crisp, with a bright golden color. To test for ripeness, gently lift the apple and twist it slightly. If it comes off easily, it is ready to pick.

Golden Delicious apples are great for eating fresh, baking into pies and tarts, or canning for later use. Enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor!