Apple trees

Hey guys! It's my first year of prepating my little patch for the winter and just after some tips. I've got two young apples trees in, planted from rootstock, that will now be just 7 months old. Ones been growing really well, the other not quite catching up. They're both staked in nicely. Do I need to do anything else to help get them through winter? Any top tips appreciated!

 

Hi Emily, you could add a mulch in a meter or so circle around the trees. The earthworms would pull this in and improve the soil over the next few months. The main thing is not to disturb the roots. Hopefully in the Spring you will have blossom and maybe a apple or two although it will make better growth without fruit the first year or so. Some varieties grow more vigorous than others and the rootstock type is a key player here.