We didn’t set out to grow Jonathan apples, but this is the variety that thrives in our zone 7B garden. We purchased seedlings from the Arbor Day Society and planted our home orchard in December 2007. Today, we have many fruit trees, including our beloved Jonathans that are my new favorite apple. Here’s how to grow them – and why you should!
Plant Profile: Jonathan Apples
The Jonathan apple is renowned for its crisp texture and tangy-sweet flavor. Scientifically known as Malus domestica ‘Jonathan’, this apple variety has been cherished by apple enthusiasts since its discovery in upstate New York in 1826.
Name: Jonathan apple
Botanical name: Malus domestica ‘Jonathan’
Light Requirements: Jonathan apple trees thrive in full sunlight. They require at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to ensure optimal fruit production and to maintain their health. A sunny location not only supports robust growth but also enhances the apple’s flavor and texture.
Soil Requirements: For best results, plant Jonathan apple trees in well-drained soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. They prefer loamy soils but can tolerate a variety of soil types as long as drainage is adequate. Heavy clay or poorly drained soils can lead to root problems and reduced fruit quality.
Fertilizer Requirements: Jonathan apple trees benefit from a balanced fertilizer application. A general-purpose fertilizer with an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (such as 10-10-10) is ideal. Fertilize in early spring as the tree starts to break dormancy and again in mid-summer if needed. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production.
Water Requirements: Consistent moisture is crucial for Jonathan apple trees, especially during the growing season. They need regular watering, particularly during dry spells, to support fruit development and prevent stress. Ensure that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are effective methods to provide steady moisture without over-saturating the soil.
All apples require ample sunlight, well-drained soil, balanced fertilization, and consistent watering to thrive and produce juicy, tangy apples. With the right care, this classic apple variety will reward you with a bountiful harvest and delightful fruit.
Grow Jonathans in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7. These zones cover a range of climates from colder regions in the northern U.S. to more temperate areas in the southern regions. The Jonathan apple is relatively hardy and can withstand the winter temperatures typical of these zones.
Choosing the Planting Location
To ensure optimal growth and fruit production, it’s important to choose a planting location that meets the specific light, soil, and water requirements of the Jonathan apple tree. If you are in zones 4 through 7, go ahead and plant this apple.
Where to plant your tree is determined by several things. First, what kind of Jonathan did you buy? Apple trees can be dwarf, semi-dwarf, or standard. This refers to the final height of the tree. The apples are the same full size no matter what the height of the tree.
A dwarf tree usually includes the chosen variety grafted onto the rootstock of a larger variety. These trees grow about as big as a dogwood, maybe 10-15 feet tall. Semi-dwarf will get to 20 feet and standard trees can be 30 feet or more. Remember that’s just the height; trees have width, or circumference, too, and you have to account for both how tall they get and how wide when you pick a spot to plant them.
You don’t want your tree growing into power or phone lines, for example. Planting it too near the house means it will cast a lot of shade and drop leaves each fall into the gutters. And crowding it into the landscape isn’t healthy for the existing plants or the new tree.
Planting an Apple Tree
Planting an apple tree correctly is crucial for its health and productivity. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your apple tree gets a strong start:
Choose the Right Location
Sunlight: Select a site that receives full sun, ideally 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Soil: Ensure well-drained soil. Avoid areas where water tends to pool or soil is heavy clay.
Space: Consider the mature size of the tree and allow enough space for it to grow. For standard-sized trees, space them about 15-20 feet apart; for dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties, 8-12 feet is usually sufficient.
Plant two or more apple trees of different varieties in order for your trees to develop fruit. Apples need a pollinator (a different apple variety for pollination) to set fruit. The second tree can be an apple of another variety, such as Liberty, Lodi, Red Delicious, or Winesap. Or, a crabapple tree will also serve as a pollinator. But you will need two apple trees for the trees to develop apples.
Prepare the Soil
Get your soil tested at the local cooperative extension office. They will tell you what to put into the soil, based on the test results, to raise the pH to the correct level to grow apple trees. You can amend the soil with compost or mushroom compost. Both will create a healthier soil for your newly planted tree.
Dig the Planting Hole
Always dig the planting hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the container or root ball of the tree. This allows the roots to grow into the new hole for a bit before they meet the soil surrounding it. Put the soil you dug out of the hole off to the site so fill in the planting hole later.
I don’t bother preparing the tree at all. I do remove the tree from the pot or container. If the roots are wrapped in burlap, I cut the cords carefully to remove the burlap. I don’t trust that it rots away in the hole.
Plant the Tree
Place the tree in the center of the hole, ensuring that the graft union (the swollen area where the tree variety was grafted onto the rootstock) is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Planting too deep can lead to rot, while planting too high can expose roots.
Gradually fill the hole with soil, gently tamping it down to eliminate air pockets. Avoid piling soil up against the trunk. After planting, water the tree deeply to settle the soil around the roots and help eliminate any remaining air pockets.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Watering is especially important during the first growing season to help establish the tree. My husband runs hoses out to the orchard during the first year, allowing the water to drip or soak into the root line. We’ve always been known to save plastic gallon milk or juice containers, clean them, fill them with water, and leave them near the trees for fast, easy soaking when we walk by.
Mulch and Care
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. If necessary, stake the tree to provide support as it grows. Use soft ties and ensure the stakes are removed after the tree is established to avoid damage to the trunk. We place stakes around young trees and then chicken wire in a circle around the tree to prevent deer from destroying saplings.
Pruning
I have a whole series on pruning trees here on Home Garden Joy, including videos on our YouTube channel. Pruning fruit trees is very important. It helps maintain the tree’s health and vigor. It allows plenty of sunlight and air to circulate around the developing fruit, which allows the fruit to ripen naturally on the tree.
Prune the tree to establish a strong structure and remove any damaged or crossing branches. I went to a pruning seminar once where the gentleman leading it said that apple trees should be pruned so that the branches resemble a ladder a child can climb. Think of evenly spacing branches through pruning. Pruning is typically done during the dormant season.
By following these steps, you’ll give your apple tree the best chance to grow strong and produce a bountiful harvest.
What to Expect from Jonathan Apple Trees
It will take several years for standard Jonathan apple trees to take root and grow large enough to bear fruit. I think it took ours over three years to bloom. We have standard size trees and they are large, lush and healthy. We do not spray anything – not even organic sprays – and our fruit is almost completely free of bugs and blemishes.
Cedar Apple Rust, a disease that causes rusty brown cankers on the leaves, appears on some of the trees. Often, after a wet spring, the leaves will develop the cankers and sometimes yellow and drop from the trees. It affects some of the other varieties more than the Jonathans.
Our largest Jonathan split this year. Unfortunately, we did not prune it vigorously enough. The weight of the developing apples and the heavy branches caused the largest branch to snap off at the trunk when winds during a thunderstorm caught it. It was quite a shock to us as we didn’t realize how much damage wind could do to a branch. We braced the other branches with wooden posts to take some of the weight off of them and plan to prune more heavily in the spring.
