Gala Apple Fruit Tree
Most apple trees dress up like ballerinas in their spring blossoms, and planting a Gala apple tree brings this show into your own backyard. Its flowers are white-pink and fragrant, giving way to young fruit in summer. As the Gala apples mature, they become ornamental too, developing attractive streaks of yellow on their firm surfaces. The harvest period is long, lasting all through autumn, and that’s when you get to taste the sweet, firm, and juicy fruit.
Growing a Gala Apple Tree
Like every other plant, the Gala apple grows best when its particular needs are met. The ideal Gala apple tree climate is not-too-warm and not-too cool. It thrives in the middle zones, USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. When planting a Gala apple tree, find a site that gets full, direct sun. It needs at least six hours of unfiltered sun per day. Excellent drainage is equally important so provide it with moist, well-drained soil. Note that the tree is self-pollinating, so you don’t need more than one. Two apple trees are always better though.
Gala Apple Tree Care
Once you’ve got Gala apple tree climate figured out, you are ready to plant. Either fall or spring works well for this tree but avoid very cold or very hot periods. The amount of garden space you’ll need for the tree depends on which version you pick. The standard Gala grows to 25 feet (8.5 m.) tall with a similar spread, the semi-dwarf is about half that tall, while a dwarf stays about 10 feet (3 m.) tall and wide. Gala apple fruit trees need ample water for the first year. Irrigate deeply at planting time, then twice weekly for a few months while the tree is establishing. One deep watering weekly during the growing season works well the first year, with one monthly in winter. After establishment, water only during dry spells. Mulching helps keep the soil moist. What about fertilizer? Apply it when planting a Gala apple tree, and again each spring. Prune the tree in late winter to take out dead, diseased, or crowded branches.
