The apple is one of the most frequently consumed fruits. Whether in cakes, compotes, or clafoutis, there’s no shortage of recipes for enjoying this juicy fruit. Besides its tangy-sweet flavor, the apple’s health benefits are undeniable. After all, we know the popular saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” To reap the full benefits of this fruit, learn how to grow an apple tree from just a few seeds for an organic harvest.

After you’ve bitten into your apple, don’t throw away the seeds. They serve as seeds to grow your apple tree and allow you to fully enjoy sweet apples. Choose seeds from an organic apple tree to benefit from a tree that’s free from any traces of pesticides. Growing your fruit tree requires going through several stages.

How do you grow an apple tree from seed?

Step 1: Dry the apple seeds

Collect the seeds from your fruit and clean it thoroughly to remove the pulp and flesh.

After cleaning the seeds, dry them with a cloth and leave them in the fresh air to remove any traces of moisture.

Step 2: Let the seeds germinate.

Wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel or tissue. Then place them in an airtight plastic bag or box, which you then put in the refrigerator   . It is important to provide the seeds with winter conditions, as this is when they develop shoots and roots.  Instead of paper towels, you can also germinate your seeds in damp cotton wool or Sopalin.

The germination process takes time, so your seeds should be stored in the refrigerator for at least 8 weeks.  Note that it’s best to germinate the seeds during the winter season  , even if you’ve created an artificial winter for them, so you can sow them in early spring, after the last frost, when the seeds emerge from dormancy. Once your seeds have germinated, you can begin sowing.

Step 3: Sow the seeds

Choose a pot filled with pH-neutral soil. Make a hole in the soil that is slightly larger than the size of your seed. Since the young sprout is still fragile, be careful when placing the germinated seed into the hole. The seedling must have fallen into the soil.

To encourage the growth of your apple tree,    simply add compost    without using any fertilizer.  Then cover the seed with soil, gently firming it down, and water. Place the pot in partial shade at room temperature.  Apple trees appreciate warmth, but direct sunlight can burn your small, still-fragile tree.  After a few weeks, you will notice the first leaves appearing. Only then can you move your pot into full sun.

Step 4: Transplanting the apple tree

When your apple tree reaches a height of 10 cm, move it outdoors. You can repot it into a larger pot, but it’s preferable to plant it directly in the ground. Your apple tree needs space and sun. An apple tree needs    more than 6 hours of sun a day.  Choose a pH-neutral, well-draining, and moisture-retentive soil.

Once your tree begins to take root in the ground, water it every 10 to 12 days. You can    space out the watering intervals as your tree grows.   However, if the climate is very dry, water weekly or every two weeks.

To have an apple tree and be sure it will bear fruit, it’s advisable not to rely on seeds from a single apple variety, but to collect seeds from two different varieties and plant them together. Apple trees are, in fact,    self-sterile   . This means that the pollen from just one apple variety is insufficient to fertilize the blossoms of that tree and produce fruit. This also applies to other fruit trees such as cherries, plums, and pears.

Apple tree care

You don’t need to prune your young apple tree   ; it only delays fruit production, especially since apple trees generally need time to bear fruit. However, you can remove diseased or dead branches. Remember to also remove the buds to avoid having to prune branches later.

If your tree is large enough, give it a final application of fertilizer in spring. Avoid combination fertilizers    that are intended for both fertilizing a tree and killing weeds.   This type is not suitable for apple trees.

This guide will help you grow your own apple tree at home to enjoy the taste of organic apples. You just need patience!