Companion Planting for Apples: The Ultimate Guide

Oleh Anonymous March 25, 2022 Post a Comment

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Apple Companion Plants

If you're an apple grower, you may have heard about companion planting. Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together in order to improve the growth and health of all the plants involved. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best apple companion plants and discuss the benefits they can provide.

What are Apple Companion Plants?

Apple companion plants are plants that can be grown alongside apple trees to provide benefits such as pest control, improved soil health, and increased pollination. These plants can help create a healthy ecosystem around your apple trees, making them more resistant to disease and pests.

Benefits of Apple Companion Plants

There are many benefits to planting companion plants alongside your apple trees. Some of these benefits include:

Improved soil health
Pest control
Increased pollination
Reduced erosion
Biodiversity

Best Apple Companion Plants

Let's take a look at some of the best apple companion plants and the benefits they can provide:

Clover

Clover is an excellent companion plant for apples because it can fix nitrogen in the soil, which is important for healthy apple tree growth. Clover also attracts beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs, which can help with pollination and pest control.

How to Use Clover as an Apple Companion Plant

To use clover as an apple companion plant, simply plant it around the base of your apple trees. You can also plant clover in between rows of apple trees to help reduce erosion and provide a living mulch.

Chamomile

Chamomile is another great companion plant for apples because it attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies, which can help with pest control. Chamomile also has antibacterial properties, which can help prevent disease in your apple trees.

How to Use Chamomile as an Apple Companion Plant

To use chamomile as an apple companion plant, plant it around the base of your apple trees. You can also make a tea out of chamomile flowers and use it as a foliar spray to help prevent disease.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are excellent companion plants for apples because they attract predatory insects like lacewings and ladybugs, which can help with pest control. Nasturtiums also have a pungent odor, which can help repel pests like aphids.

How to Use Nasturtiums as an Apple Companion Plant

To use nasturtiums as an apple companion plant, plant them around the base of your apple trees. You can also make a tea out of nasturtium leaves and use it as a foliar spray to repel pests.

Dill

Dill is a good companion plant for apples because it attracts beneficial insects like wasps and bees, which can help with pollination and pest control. Dill also has antimicrobial properties, which can help prevent disease in your apple trees.

How to Use Dill as an Apple Companion Plant

To use dill as an apple companion plant, plant it around the base of your apple trees. You can also make a tea out of dill leaves and use it as a foliar spray to help prevent disease.

Garlic

Garlic is an excellent companion plant for apples because it has strong antimicrobial properties, which can help prevent disease in your apple trees. Garlic also repels pests like aphids and spider mites.

How to Use Garlic as an Apple Companion Plant

To use garlic as an apple companion plant, plant it around the base of your apple trees. You can also make a tea out of garlic cloves and use it as a foliar spray to help prevent disease.

Companion planting is a great way to improve the health and productivity of your apple trees. By planting companion plants like clover, chamomile, nasturtiums, dill, and garlic, you can create a healthy ecosystem around your apple trees that will make them more resistant to disease and pests.

FAQs

Q: Can I plant other types of plants alongside my apple trees?

Yes! There are many different types of plants that can be used as companion plants for apples. Some other options include marigolds, yarrow, and chives.

Q: Do I need to plant all of these companion plants at once?

No! You can with just one or two companion plants and add more over time.

Q: Will planting companion plants increase my apple tree yield?

While companion plants can help create a healthy ecosystem around your apple trees, they may not necessarily increase your yield. However, they can help improve the overall health and quality of your apples.