How to Plant Gala Apple Trees
Gala apples were first cultivated in New Zealand in the 1920s by crossing Golden Delicious apples with a little known type called Kidd's Orange Red.
Though Gala apples are relatively new on the fruit scene in the US and UK, they have become enormously popular due to their firm, crunchy texture, sweet taste, and relative ease of cultivation.
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel or rotary digger
- Soil test kit
- Gala sapling
- Soil amendments (optional)
Instructions
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1
Choose your planting site. Look for high areas with a bit of a slope to allow proper drainage and prevent pockets of cold air from collecting around the tree in winter, as Gala trees need good drainage and freedom from icy air. If you are planting your tree on a lawn, remove the grass in a four foot diameter ring around the planting site.
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2
Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball on your Gala sapling, and at least two feet deep. Loosen the dirt around the sides and bottom of the hole with the tip of your shovel so that the tree roots will be able to penetrate.
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3
Test the composition of your soil using the soil test kit. Apple trees prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6 and 6.8. If your soil is heavily alkaline (with a pH of 7.8 or above) your Gala tree will benefit from the the addition of soil acidifiers like elemental sulfur.
Add any necessary soil amendments to your planting hole, and turn them into the dirt with your shovel to a depth of at least 12 inches.
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4
Put your Gala sapling into the planting hole. Gently spread out the roots to give the tree a firm foundation, and then fill the hole back in with dirt. Tamp down the soil at intervals as you are filling the hole to eliminate air pockets and firmly anchor the tree.
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5
Thoroughly water your newly planted tree.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're unable to use a shovel due to age or disability, some home centers will have rotary diggers or other machinery to rent. If you're planting many trees at once, a rotary digger is the best option.
Plant trees 12 to 15 feet apart to allow adequate room for the trees to grow and mature.
Gala apple trees cannot pollinate themselves or be pollinated by other Gala apple trees. If you wish your tree to bear fruit, you should also plant other apple trees which bloom around the same time. Good cross-pollinators for Gala trees include Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Empire apple trees.
