Plant library
Perennial food
Apple
Malus domestica
Zones 3–8
The backbone of a food forest — a semi-dwarf apple feeds a family from September to spring, with cider, sauce, and winter-keeping fruit.
Sun
Full sun
Water
moderate
Spacing
12-16 ft (semi-dwarf)
Soil
Well-drained loam, pH 6.0-7.0
Difficulty
moderate
Zones
3–8
When to plant
Mar
Apr
Oct
Nov
Timing shifts with your zone — the Genie can pin down exact dates for you.
How to care for it
Plant semi-dwarf in spring; stake for 2 years. Prune yearly for an open center. Choose disease-resistant varieties to stay spray-free.
Good companions
Comfrey and chive guilds beneath
Harvest
Pick keeping varieties slightly underripe; early varieties straight off the tree.
Want a plan for growing Apple?
Your Genie can give exact timing and care for your zone.
