Walnut: cultivation in the Moscow region, varieties, planting rules and care

Since ancient times, nuts have been considered a tasty and he althy product, the use of which is welcomed in any form. Standing apart among them is the walnut, which is also called "food for the brain." Let's see why the walnut is so useful, and how it is grown in regions with unstable weather conditions, for example, in the suburbs.

Is it possible to grow a walnut in the suburbs?

There is an opinion among the people that the walnut is a thermophilic culture, and it does not take root in regions with a cool climate. Many novice gardeners are surprised by the information that many varieties of walnuts can actually be grown in the Moscow region.This became possible thanks to the unpretentiousness of the culture and the painstaking work of breeders who breed early, frost-resistant hybrids.

Today, about two dozen varieties of walnuts are grown in the Russian Federation, including in the northern regions.

Suitable varieties

Unfortunately, not all varieties are suitable for the Moscow region, but there are enough of them, and there is plenty for a novice gardener to choose from. The most popular are:

• Ideal.

A quick-growing variety that begins to bring a small harvest from the first year of life. For the garden, it is recommended to purchase seedlings at least four years old. He gained fame among summer residents due to his mild taste, unpretentiousness and good yields.

• Giant.

A hybrid created on the basis of the previous variety and adopting all its positive qualities.Their main difference is in size. The ideal has a relatively small size - around 6 meters. The giant fully justifies its name, and with the proper amount of sunlight it grows up to 20 meters in height. It is possible to collect up to 100 kilograms of nuts per season from one such tree.

• Astakhovsky.

Known in the Moscow region for a relatively short time, it has become one of the favorites due to its high frost resistance and strong immunity. The height of an adult tree is about 10 meters, and the first fruits are formed in the sixth year of life. During the season, from 30 to 40 kilograms of nuts are harvested from the tree.

• Sadko.

This variety was bred specifically for cultivation in the Moscow region, and calmly withstands local winters. The size of the tree is small, and in normal condition does not exceed 4-5 meters. The harvest is formed steadily, in no way inferior to the taste of the southern counterparts.

Pay attention! In addition to the varieties listed above, in the territory of the Moscow region take root perfectly: Aurora, Kocherzhenko, Podmoskovny and Harvest.

Fit features

Despite its unpretentiousness, the walnut requires certain rules to be observed, the implementation of which will ensure normal growth and yield. These include:

• landing dates;
• selecting the right place;
• preparing seedlings;
• compliance with the rules of landing.

Let's take a closer look at them.

Disembarkation dates

Disembarkation times vary by region:

• in the southern regions with a warm climate, seedlings are planted in mid-autumn;
• in the northern regions, with a less favorable climate, they land in the spring.

Spring planting takes place in April, until the moment when the buds begin to swell on the trees. Autumn planting in the Moscow region is not recommended, as the tree will not have time to take root before the winter frosts, and there is a risk that it will die.

Choosing a landing site

When choosing a landing site, follow these rules:

• ground water should not come close to the surface. The optimum depth of occurrence is at least two meters. If this condition is not met, the tree will not be able to develop normally;
• The landing area is well lit and not in the shade most of the time.

Do not plant a walnut near living quarters or outbuildings. Its powerful root system will destroy even the concrete base, causing damage to the building.

Preparation of seedlings

When preparing seedlings for planting in the country:

• it is necessary that the roots of the seedling are not damaged and deformed;
• it is recommended to use walnut tree seedlings that have reached the age of 2 years for planting;
• the trunk must be free from damage or disease;
• pay attention to the grafting site of the seedling. If it didn't grow well - choose another one;
• before planting, two-year-old seedlings need to be trimmed so that their length before planting does not exceed 50-70 centimeters.

Pay attention! Annual seedlings are small and do not need pruning.

Boarding process

The process of planting comes down to digging a hole of the required size and preparing the right mixture to fill it.The size of the pit should be at least 60 centimeters in diameter. The depth depends on the size of the root system. Usually, penetration into the ground occurs at least 50-60 centimeters.

From the excavated earth, a mound is created around the pit, and instead of it, a little phosphorus-containing fertilizer and humus are poured onto the bottom, mixed with fertile soil. At the end of the procedure, the landing site is abundantly irrigated. For the first watering, at least 60 liters of liquid are used.

Nuances of caring for a tree in the suburbs

Walnut, like any other tree, needs minimal care, which consists in timely watering, fertilizing and pruning. These procedures do not take much time from the gardener, but allow the tree to develop harmoniously. Giving it 30-40 minutes during the week, you will be sure of a good harvest at the end of the season.

Feeding

Feeding a tree does not require much effort from the owner, because during the year it is enough just to make the necessary fertilizers a couple of times. Top dressing is divided into:

• autumn;
• spring.

In autumn, the emphasis is on fertilizers with a high content of phosphorus and potassium, and in the spring - on nitrogen supplements. In the case when the tree is planted on fertile soil, abundant fertilizing should be discarded. Walnut develops quickly even in poor soils, and excessive amounts of nutrients can adversely affect its growth.

Irrigation

Competent and timely irrigation is the key to success in growing a walnut tree. This culture loves moisture, and in the first years of life, if the summer turned out to be dry, irrigation is carried out every week. It turns out that during the summer season the gardener will have to water the nut at least 12 times, while pouring out about 3 buckets of liquid.

Mature trees are watered half as often, but the volume of liquid is doubled. In rainy seasons, the tree is watered less, focusing on the condition of the soil.

Cutting

The formation of the crown of the tree is carried out in the spring, approximately at the end of March. Preventive work aimed at removing diseased and damaged branches is carried out in the fall, during preparation for wintering. The formation of the crown begins from the moment when the tree trunk has grown by one and a half meters. It happens like this:

• 10 branches are left on the trunk, which form the skeleton of the crown;
• shoots on branches are cut so that their length is 20 centimeters.

An adult tree does not need to form a crown, and only preventive pruning is required from the gardener.

Wintering features

Young trees, before the onset of winter cold, are wrapped with a warm cloth, and the soil around the trunk is mulched. Straw, manure or peat can be used as mulch. Mature trees do not need additional care, and they endure the winter cold with firmness.

Protection from diseases and pests

Among the diseases characteristic of walnuts, there are:

• Bacterial burn.

Its symptoms are expressed in the darkening of the leaves and nuts on the tree. To combat the disease, special preparations are used, with a high content of copper. All affected parts are removed and incinerated.

• Root cancer.

Great outgrowths form on the roots, and the tree stops developing, stopping bearing fruit. As a treatment, it is recommended to treat the roots with a solution of caustic soda 1%. At the end of the procedure, the roots are washed with plenty of water.

• Brown spotting.

Appears as brown spots on the leaves. The affected leaves soon fall off, and in the advanced form, the disease spreads to the flowers, destroying most of them. Bordeaux mixture is used as a medicine, the concentration of which is 1%.

Pests:

• nut moth;
• sapwood;
• American white butterfly;
• aphid;
• codling moth.

When they are found, the affected parts are burned, and the tree is treated with special chemicals sold in stores.

As you can see, planting a walnut in the Moscow region is not a difficult task, and with minimal effort, you can enjoy homemade walnuts all year round.

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