September 2010 - Apples

Apple nutrition 

Apples are…

• Fat free
• Saturated fat free
• Sodium free
• Cholesterol free
• An excellent source of fiber
• A great source of the fiber pectin. One apple has five grams of fiber.
• A medium apple has about 80 calories.

Apple tree growing 

The science of apple growing is called pomology.

Apple trees take four to five years to produce their first fruit.

You must plant two or more varieties that bloom at the same time in each apple planting.

The transfer of pollen from one apple blossom to another is largely the work of bees. So be careful not to apply insecticides during the blooming period—or you'll lose your best means of pollination.

Fall is perhaps the best time for planting apple trees: the roots will already have been established when next spring rolls around, giving your home apple trees a head start.

Apple facts

The top apple-producing states are Washington, New York, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, which produced over 83 percent of the nation’s 2001-crop apple supply.

Twenty-five percent of an apple's volume is air. That is why they float.

It takes about 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider.

California specializes in four varieties: Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Cripps Pink Ladies.

References:

 http://www.usapple.org/consumers/dailyapple/nutrition.cfm

http://www.allaboutapples.com/index.htm

http://www.calapple.org/index.php?n=1&id=1&topic=California+Apple+Commission

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/fruittreesbushes/a/apple_trees_2.htm

Happy Gardening!

Check back next month for the October 2010 monthly gardening tip!