Looking to add an apple tree to your garden or back yard? Start with the Urban Apple, which produces a lot of fruit and is ideal for homeowners with small yards. “It’s a smaller tree that grows more narrow and upright,” says Garden Heights Nursery owner Lou D’Agrosa, adding that gardeners can select from the red or green apple variety.
While many popular fruit varieties are hybrids, Botanical Heights Community Garden’s Nicole Bergmann suggests that beginners avoid hybrids of apples and peaches, for instance. And speaking of peaches, which do well in St. Louis, Bergmann recommends starting with a Donut Peach tree. “You’ll know your Donut Peach is finished growing when it starts to take on a red color,” she says.
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The initial investment includes the cost of seeds ($10–$30 per package), pruning tools, and sprays to combat insects and treat diseases such as fire blight, which is common in pear and apple trees. “Fruit trees are a big commitment,” says Bergmann. “You can’t plant them and let them go.” They require a minimum of eight hours of sun per day, so D’Agrosa suggests planting them in a sunny area of the yard. Whenever possible, Bergmann plants fruit trees in areas that get plenty of wind, aiding in self- and cross-pollination.
