How to Transplant Apple Sprouts

Beginning in Asia, humans have cultivated apples for thousands of years. Today apples are one of the most widely grown fruit trees in the world, according to Purdue University. Apples grow best in areas with cold winters and warm summers. Spring frosts can prevent bud growth, so plant apple trees in the warmest areas of your garden, such as near a south-facing wall, for highest fruit production.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Select a location for the apple transplants in full sun, especially morning sun, and well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

2. Plant apple tree sprouts in spring once the danger of frost has passed.

3. Dig a hole as deep as the apple sprout’s root ball and twice as wide. Space each hole about 8 to 10 feet apart.

4. Place the apple sprouts into the holes and fill the holes half full of soil. Add 2 gallons of water to the holes and allow the water to settle. Fill the holes the rest of the way with soil and pat them down firmly.

5. Apply a layer of mulch 2 to 3 inches deep around the base of the apple sprouts. Organic types of mulch include bark, wood chips, grass clippings, leaves, hay and sawdust.

Tips & Warnings

• You can make the soil acidic by mixing peat moss into the topsoil.

References

• Purdue University; Great Moments in Apple History; Mitch Lynd
• Texas A&M University; Home Fruit Production--Apples; Larry Stein, et al.; April 2003
• Ohio State University; Growing Apples in the Home Orchard; Gary Gao