Join our low-carbon bake-off and we'll send you an apple tree

Once your tree has arrived, try to plant it as soon as possible, avoiding planting on frosty days or when the soil is frozen or very wet.

Water your tree thoroughly an hour before planting.

1. Your tree will be happiest in a sunny spot that is sheltered from strong wind and not too close to buildings. For the apples to ripen, your tree needs plenty of sunshine.
2. Your tree likes to live alone - remove weeds/grass and anything else that will compete for water and nutrients from around the tree base.
3. Dig a square hole ~3 times the width of the tree roots, but not deeper, keeping the excess soil nearby.
4. Loosen the roots with your hands so the dirt is not compact, pruning any roots that are damaged or broken.
5. Plant the tree at the soil level mark with roots below the ground and the stem above.
6. Add some slow release fertiliser and backfill any gaps with the soil you removed earlier - avoid packing the soil too tightly.
7. Add a layer of mulch (~5-7.5cm deep) around the base of the tree (bark, compost or well-rotted manure). Make sure the mulch isn't pushed too close to the tree trunk as this can cause rotting.
8. Keep the stake provided to support the tree whilst it is still young.

1. Water your tree thoroughly an hour before repotting.
2. Choose a deep container that is 50 litres (or bigger) in size with drainage holes.
3. Place the container on hard standing ground and put it on bricks to protect the roots from the frost during winter months.
4. Fill the container with a mix of soil and compost (we suggest loam based compost).
5. Dig a square hole to encourage the roots to penetrate the surrounding soil. Circular holes can cause roots to spiral.
6. Loosen the roots with your hands so the dirt is not compact. This will encourage the roots to spread outwards. Prune any roots that are damaged or broken.
7. Plant the tree at the soil level mark with roots below the ground and the stem above.
8. Keep the stake provided to support the tree whilst it is still young.
9. Water the plant thoroughly and keep it well watered for several weeks.

Your tree will require repotting into a larger container in the first 12 months, then every 2-3 years until it reaches its full height - try to repot in the winter months to minimise the risk of damaging the roots.

• It looks less healthy than it used to.
• It is drying out quicker.
• The roots are growing out of the holes in the bottom of the container.
• It has been in the same pot for 3 years or more.

Once the tree is fully grown, it will be too big for repotting - you will still need to replace 30-50% of the compost every other year so the tree does not exhaust its supply of nutrients.

• In its first year after planting you should check on your tree at least once a week. Give it a good soaking if it hasn’t rained for a week - avoid getting water on the leaves as this encourages disease and leaf scorch.
• Once the first season is over, just water in periods of hot weather.
• If the tree is in a container it will need watering more regularly - stick your finger into the first inch of topsoil and if it feels medium dry, water immediately.
• Your apple tree needs the occasional haircut - It is best to do this in the winter when the tree is dormant. Remove any branches that are growing towards the centre of the tree instead of pointing outwards - these will not get enough sunlight to produce fruit. Next remove any dead, diseased or dying leaves/branches.
• Remove the competition from around the tree base - weeds.
• Add mulching every Spring (April-May) or Autumn (October) while it’s young. This keeps the soil moist and nutrient-rich and discourages weeds from growing.
• Feeding your apple tree will help it to gain the nutrients it needs to fruit. Late winter is an ideal time - we advise using a granular rose fertiliser as these are potassium-rich.
• If your tree is still in its pot you can move it into a greenhouse or conservatory (somewhere sheltered) when the temperatures begin to drop to protect it from extreme temperatures and frosts.
• If your tree flowers before the last of the spring frosts, you may need to wrap it in horticultural fleece on frosty nights. This will prevent the flowers being damaged.

We love our carbon sucking friends and would love to see them in their new homes. Please share any photos on Twitter or Instagram! Happy planting!