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Therefore , planting a cultivar that did not originate in the Upper Midwest that potentially rewarding , is much riskier . Apply nematodes when iris leaves are almost fully expanded but before flowering . The seed from a Haralson apple will produce an apple tree , but it will not produce a Haralson apple tree . Currants and gooseberries do not require extensive spraying to control pests in the Upper Midwest ; careful site selection and good cultural practices such as mulching , pruning , and sanitation will minimize pest problems . Currants and gooseberries are closely related berry-producing shrubs well suited to home gardens throughout most of the Upper Midwest . Conduct a soil test to determine soil conditions before planting and amend the soil as suggested by the results . Just before planting , soak the roots of bare-root plants in a bucket of clean water for three to four hours . When using the fruit for jam , you should harvest it before it is fully ripe so that natural fruit pectin levels will be higher . This red cultivar was released by the University of Minnesota in 1933 and remains the best cultivar for the Upper Midwest . Plant Health Care ( PHC ) is a strategy for keeping plants stress free by considering factors related to growing and maintaining the plant . After the initial pruning at planting , fruit trees should be pruned on an annual basis in late winter — preferably after the coldest weather is past — before they break bud . A planting of pear trees on " Old Home X Farmingdale " ( OH X F ) semi-dwarfing rootstocks at the Horticultural Research Center in Chanhassen has performed quite well for the last decade . Plant growth in crowded or shaded conditions often become potted earlier in the season .