When to plant apple trees in the suburbs: optimal timing, soil preparation and care

A properly planted apple tree is characterized by active growth, good fruiting, resistance to climatic conditions, pests and diseases. Therefore, the choice of the period when planting apple trees in the Moscow region is a very important moment for the successful cultivation of a tree. But in addition to choosing the season and time, you need to pay attention to other important factors: the selection of a variety, a he althy seedling, care after planting.

Features of planting apple trees in the suburbs

On the territory near Moscow, planting an apple tree should be carried out in spring or autumn. The best option is to plant a tree in the autumn - starting from the last days of September, ending in mid-November.

You should also pay attention to the quality of the soil for planting. The fact is that the apple tree does not take root well in wetlands, in places where groundwater is shallow.

If it is not possible to plant a plant elsewhere, it should be drained with sand or gravel before planting in such soil.

Spring planting can be done from the last days of April to mid-May. Before landing, it is necessary to make sure that the earth has warmed up. You can do this with a shovel. You can find out that the soil has warmed up to the optimum temperature if the shovel enters the soil to the level of the bayonet.

Which variety to choose?

The choice of variety depends on when the gardener plans to harvest. Summer varieties bear fruit from late July-August. Such apples differ in that their shelf life reaches 14 days. Autumn varieties ripen in September and retain their freshness for 1-2 months.Winter varieties delight with their harvest in October. At the same time, such apples are stored for 3-6 months.

Many summer residents plant trees of different varieties on their plot. The best option is to plant 1 summer plant, 1-2 autumn, 2-3 winter. If you want to grow only one variety in the Moscow region, winter-hardy varieties should be preferred, as they are resistant to the climatic features characteristic of the region.

Summer varieties of apple trees

If a summer resident plans to harvest in the summer, it is better for him to focus on the varieties listed below:

• Melba;
• Moscow Grushovka;
• Candy;
• Paper;
• Lungwort;
• Mantent;
• Pink Superb.

Autumn varieties

The best fall varieties are:

• Zhigulevskoe;
• Rossosh striped;
• Brown striped;
• Antonovka;
• Spartacus;
• Anise;
• Glory to the winners.

Winter varieties

If it is necessary to harvest in late autumn, preference should be given to growing winter varieties such as:

• Moscow winter;
• Kutuzovets;
• Asterisk;
• Golden;
• Kuibyshevskoe;
• Saffron;
• Northern synapse;
• Richard.

When can I plant?

If the summer resident plans to plant young seedlings aged 1 year, it is better to do this in the spring. This approach to cultivation will allow the root system to adapt to climatic conditions before the onset of winter cold. Such plants need to be planted in the last days of March - early April.

If the seedling is 2-3 years old, it is better to plant it in the autumn. The choice of this season is not accidental, it allows you to save a year until the first harvest. In this case, in order for the tree to endure the winter well, it must be securely covered, carefully observe all the nuances of planting. In autumn, seedlings are best planted from the end of September to the last October numbers.

Choosing a landing site

In order to get a he althy plant and a good harvest, before planting, you need to choose the right place where the apple tree will be planted. It is best if it has the following features:

• the site is located on a small hill, while it is open, sunny;
• the landing site should not be swampy soil, drafts, shade from buildings or other plants;
• groundwater must lie more than 2 meters;
• soil acid-base balance should be neutral.

Once the optimal place has been found, it is required to bring the soil to an optimal state, preparing it for planting.

Soil preparation

The summer resident should take care of preparing the landing pit in advance. This should be done about a month before the planned disembarkation date. For good growth and development of the apple tree, it is necessary to prepare a mixture of the top layer of fertile soil, the mineral complex and wood ash.

Nitrogen compounds, chicken or cow droppings can be used as fertilizer.

Seedling selection and preparation

Before planting a plant, it must be carefully examined. Seedlings should have a he althy root system, a smooth trunk, on which there is no damage. The plant must have live buds. Before planting, small roots should not be cut, as thanks to them, the plant can provide itself with nutrients and water.

The day before transplanting, seedlings are soaked in a bucket of water. In this case, any stimulant for the process of root formation should be added to the liquid.Kornevin, Heteroauxin, Epin can be used as such additives. It is also allowed to use a yeast solution, made from 10 liters of water and 100 grams of yeast.

Plant pattern

In order for the plant to grow well and bear fruit, it should be properly planted. To do this, you need to take into account several nuances:

1. The hole should be made no higher than the size of the pot so that the neck is not buried during planting.
2. Since the soil will settle slightly after planting, it is necessary to make a margin in height.
3. The seedling should be placed in the hole. In cases where the apple tree has an open root system, the shoots must be carefully straightened.
4. Sprinkling the earth is required gradually in several layers. In addition, each layer must be watered. This approach will allow you to compact the soil tightly, eliminate all air voids from it.
5. A peg is driven in next to the plant. It is necessary for support, preventing the curvature of the trunk.

After transplanting, the root zone is watered. Then it needs to be mulched. Mulch is required in order to retain moisture in the root system, to protect the planting from weeds. Also, a similar covering material provides the necessary top dressing for the apple tree.

Further tree care

After planting an apple tree, it needs to be properly cared for. To do this, it is necessary to maintain the purity of the soil, regularly carry out sanitary and formative pruning, water it, protect it from pests, diseases, cold weather.

Water seedlings

In the first month, the plant is watered every week, while under the tree you need to gradually pour 2 buckets of water. In dry autumn, additional watering is organized: 2-3 buckets of water are poured under the plant every day. It is not necessary to apply top dressing under the tree for 2-3 years, subject to preliminary preparation of the hole for planting.

Gradually watering is done more abundantly, but less frequently. 4-5 buckets of water are poured under each tree once every 3 weeks. An adult tree needs only 4 waterings during 1 season. They are organized during flowering, fruit set.The rest of the watering is done at the time of pouring apples, before winter.

Shelter for the winter

If the planting was carried out in the fall, the seedlings need to be covered for the winter. This procedure must be performed within 2-3 years, until the plant is fully strengthened. To prepare apple trees for winter, they must be watered abundantly before the onset of cold weather. After that, the root area is carefully mulched. The layer of mulch should be at least 7 centimeters. Protect the tree trunk from the cold. To do this, it should be wrapped with a transparent covering material.

Treatment from diseases and pests

After planting an apple tree, it is necessary to regularly inspect its branches and leaves for diseases and pests. At this stage, such an inspection is quite easy, since the tree is not covered with a large number of leaves. If signs of illness are found, it is better to treat a young tree with folk remedies.

If the disease does not recede even after treatment, it can be overcome with the help of safe biological means, the positive effect of which is based on the vital activity of fungi and microorganisms. These drugs include Fitoverm, Bitoxibacillin.

To maintain the he alth of the plant, attention must also be paid to ensuring that the support peg does not injure the trunk. This is due to the fact that a damaged tree is prone to damage by pests and diseases.

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