How do you plant an apple tree?

When and how should I plant my apple tree?

• I took a seed from my gala apple and placed it in a bowl with cotton balls and water. It has grown pretty long and has two leaves at the end of it. It has also detached from the seed. ...show more

• Answer:

  A few things. Apples are like people, and the trees that grow from their seeds are totally different from the parent tree. Your tree will NOT grow gala apples, but some new variety that shares some DNA with a gala. Apple trees from seeds are a crap-shoot, and when they are grown for new varieties, most are discarded when the fruits for make the grade. BUT - all apples will make great cider (which is why Johnny Appleseed went around planting seeds - he didn't need good apples - he was in the cider business). And all apple trees make beautiful flowering trees regardless. Whether your tree survives up there is also a crap shoot, but no reason not to try - it's fun! Some apples survive up to zone 3, some only to zone 4 or even 5. But you won't know until you try. You can plant your tree now, or put it in a pot for now. Either way, plant so that the root is in the soil and the leaflets are above ground.