Close your eyes; try to imagine a crispy crunch that fills your mouth with the distinct sweetness of the absolute juiciest fruit- that’s what it’s like biting into a Honeycrisp Apple. The delicious flavor of this hybrid variety is a cross between Honeygold and Macoun apples. Honeycrisp apples are a blushing red color; they are firm and round in shape, and an all-time favorite for eating it fresh, in salads or in cooking recipes. The pleasure of growing Honeycrisp apples in your own garden or backyard is far from comparison with any other fruit tree.

A few things that influence the growth of a wonderful dwarf tree – “Honeycrisp Apple” are:

• A location that receives full sun is the prime requirement to grow Honeycrisp apple trees. Low areas or fences might settle frost or obstruct the circulation of air.
• Honeycrisp are not self-pollinating because they are a hybrid variety. Thus, a different variety like Nova Spy, Sundance, Redfree or Sweet 16 should be grown alongside to help pollination.
• Before planting, work soil to remove weeds and grass. Mixing a lot of compost or other organic matter is advised to make the soil well-drained and loamy.
• Dig holes for the dwarf trees of Honeycrisp apple two feet deep and four feet wide. After removing the tree from its container, spread out the roots carefully and place it in the hole. Tamp the soil until the hole is completely filled.
• Remember to water regularly for the first few weeks until the trees are well established. Adding mulch would help to retain moisture and aid in protection from weeds.
• Because of disease-resistant specialty, hybrid tree of Honeycrisp apple is less prone to get affected from diseases and pests. However, a suggested fertilizer and insecticide would help the apple trees to become stronger and healthier.
• While pruning gives finest shape and structure to Honeycrisp apple trees; thinning motivates large-size fruits and superior yields year after year. Honeycrisp apple tree start ripening fruits in September.

Hosted by Felix, our leading horticultural expert, the new videos cover topics ranging from spring pruning to winter clean up! We show you how to prune peach trees, apple trees, bush cherry trees, grape vines, blackberry plants, pear trees, and more!  We talk about container gardening, indoor citrus care tips, and even blueberries.

Below is one of our new videos about How to Prune an Old, Neglected, Out of Control Peach Tree. Make sure you check back often, or bookmark our channel!

In the new Spring catalog, we talk a lot about Li’l BIG Trees, but I often forget that the concept is still fairly new. So what is a Li’l BIG Apple Tree? It’s how the average gardener with limited space grows full size, full flavored apples! Bearing fruit just 16 months after planting, Li’l BIG Apple Trees only grow to about 6 ft. tall, while a regular apple tree can grow up to 25 ft. tall. By the time they reach full maturity, Li’l Big Trees Will yield over ½ a bushel or more each year!

Best of all, you don’t need a ladder to prune, spray or harvest them. And they need no special care beyond what you would give ordinary apples. Many commercial growers are switching to this popular type of tree because they can get more production per acre. Li’l BIG Trees are also grown on specific root-stock that makes them resistance to fire blight, a nasty disease common to fruit trees.

Li’l BIG Trees may not be for everyone, especially if you have plenty of growing space that can accommodate a standard apple tree. If you plan on stocking your shelves with homemade apple sauce or apple butter and if you have enough room, you may want to stick with a standard tree that will bear fruit 3-6 after planting and produce 5-10 bushels at full maturity.

Li’l BIG Trees do require support, as the fruit they produce often tends to weigh down the tree. We offer special Deluxe Li’l BIG Tree packages, which come with a free tree support, tree fertilizer, calcium, and a tree guard.

If you have limited space or simply want a little tree with big benefits, Li’l BIG is for you. Try it this year – we’re sure you’ll love it!

Click here to check out our YouTube Video about Li’l Big Apple Trees, featuring Felix, one of our horticultural experts!