Honeycrisp Apple Growing Conditions

Sunlight and Soil Requirements

Apple trees perform best in full sun locations with sandy, loamy and well-draining soil, according to the University of Ohio Extension. Look for a site that's exposed to eight hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably in the early morning and afternoon, to help ensure a bountiful crop of delicious Honeycrisp apples. Amend the soil at your planting site, if necessary; a 3-inch layer of equal parts peat moss, loam and coarse horticultural sand can be tilled into the top 2 feet of soil to improve aeration and drainage. Plant the Honeycrisp tree with its roots completely covered and the bud union (the junction of the trunk and roots) 2 to 3 inches above ground level.

Honeycrisp apple trees appreciate being grown in soils that are consistently moist, but well-drained. Take care to avoid overwatering, which can result in spotty, less flavorful fruit. To ensure that your Honeycrisp tree receives the appropriate amount of moisture, provide it with 3 gallons of supplemental irrigation every two to three weeks. Apply the water to the soil a 1/2 gallon at a time and wait for it to soak in before applying the next 1/2 gallon.

Fertilizing Honeycrisp trees each year in the early spring will help to stimulate healthy root, foliage and apple production. A water-soluble or granular 10-10-10 fertilizer can be used to provide your Honeycrisp apple tree with the nutrients it needs for successful cultivation. For best results, choose a fertilizer product that is specially formulated for use with fruit-bearing trees. Apply the fertilizer according to the application instructions on the product label to avoid burning the roots of your tree.

Many novice gardeners have misconceptions about the difficulties of pruning fruit-bearing trees and, as a result, tend to shy away from planting them in their gardens and home landscapes. Fortunately, Honeycrisp apple trees have very simple pruning requirements that can be completed by even inexperienced gardeners. Prune your Honeycrisp apple tree in early March, before the tree has produced new growth. Remove diseased, damaged, dead, rubbing or crossing branches by using a pruning saw to make clean cuts at the branch collar.