Many gardeners have faced two problems when it comes time to harvest apples.
The fruits that end up in the basket are either too soft and flabby, or have holes in them.
It is impossible to blame the variety or the weather for this. The root of the problem lies in garden maintenance.
If the tree is given little attention, then over time such a harvest will become the norm. In addition, with each season the total weight of the harvested fruits will decrease.
The apples will remain soft or full of holes, nothing can be done. But the problem can be fixed in the long run.
Soft and flabby - this is a clear sign of discard. The holes are left by pests that eat the fruit from the inside.
In order for the apple tree to produce beautiful and aromatic apples, it is necessary to trim the crown and treat it against pests once every 2-3 years.
It is best to do this in early spring, before the sap starts to flow. Pests are not active at this time either, so you can solve two problems at once. As for crown pruning, up to 25% of the shoots are cut off.
