October is the perfect month for planting bare-rooted apple trees. You should choose an open, sunny, but sheltered site and make sure the ground is not prone to water logging.
Fork in some well-rotted manure or compost at the rate of a good bucketful to one square metre, then apply a general fertiliser at around 90g per square metre.
A standard tree is fine where there is plenty of space, as each tree will produce at least 35-45kg of fruit. Standards should be planted 3.5 – 6m (12 – 20ft) apart and will grow 2.6 – 5.8m (8 – 18ft) in height and spread.
If you have a smaller garden, it’s probably best to grow trained or dwarf apple trees. An espalier-trained tree has a spread of 3-4.5m (10-15ft) and could be grown against a fence or wall, either in full sun or with a little shade.
A row of cordon apple trees, set no more than a metre (3ft) apart, will make productive use of a limited space, while dwarf pyramid trees can be planted just 1.5-1.8m (5-6ft) apart.
Even the tiniest garden will have enough room for a family tree. This is where three or four different varieties are grafted on a single rootstock, where they will cross pollinate to provide a succession of fruit.
Some apple varieties we recommend
Early
‘Discovery’ (dessert) – a crisp, sweet and juicy, bright red apple, ready to pick from mid-August.
Mid-season
‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’ (dessert) – although popular, this variety needs a lot of attention as it is prone to scab, mildew and canker. Picked in late September, it should keep until Christmas.
‘James Grieve’ (dessert) – tender and juicy with an excellent flavour. Picked in early September, this variety should be eaten by the end of October.
‘Sunset’ (dessert) – pretty blossom, tasty fruit ready at the end of September. Keeps until Christmas.
‘Worcester Pearmain’ (dessert) – crisp and sweet, pick in September.
Late
‘Bramley’s Seedling’ (cooker) – ready for picking in early October, it will keep in good condition until April. The best variety for culinary use, with large, juicy fruit.