Feeding apple trees in spring, summer and autumn during ripening and fruiting

The soil under fruitful trees is rapidly depleted. The lack of important valuable substances affects the yield, as well as the he alth of the plant itself. Top dressing of apple trees is carried out throughout the entire growing season. Fertilizing in the spring helps to move away from hibernation after winter, making them the most resistant to possible diseases and pests. Nutrition in the summer makes up for the lack of valuable components used up during the period of development and ripening of the fruit. Fertilizers applied in the fall increase resistance to low temperatures and help endure frosty winters.

When is the best time to fertilize an apple tree

Apple trees are fed according to the recommended fertilizer application schedule. The schedule for feeding apple trees is designed taking into account what trace elements it needs, at what time and for what.

Early spring

In spring, the earliest top dressing is carried out during the formation of buds and until flowering has begun. The indicated time in the middle latitudes falls on the beginning of March, and in the northern latitudes - on the middle of April.

For top dressing in spring, it is recommended to choose those fertilizers in which nitrogen predominates, it contributes to the activation of vegetation processes. You need to use only one type of fertilizer for root nutrition: humus - from 2 to 4 buckets per tree, s altpeter - 45 g, carbamide - 550-650 g.

Important! Fertilizers are located not in the area of the trunk, but half a meter from it, along the perimeter of the foliage.

With excessive application of mineral fertilizers, the risk of burning the root system of the apple tree increases, which will lead to death. It is not necessary to add nitrogen to the soil several times. Closer to the time of flowering, the apple tree needs potassium, which stimulates the formation of ovaries.

Summertime

Top dressing of an apple tree with the onset of summer is considered the second, carried out in early June. At the beginning of summer, fertilizers are used that promote the activation of vegetation processes: phosphorus and potassium (for a volume of 10 liters of superphosphate liquid 110 g and potassium sulfate 75 g), chicken manure in dissolved form, slurry from manure, urea (for a volume of 10 liters of liquid 110 d).

It is worth considering that feeding with granular or powder fertilizers is carried out mainly during rain, in the dry period it is recommended to use liquid fertilizers.

In early July, when the fruits are the size of an egg, the apple tree is fertilized with a third of nitrogen and a third of potash and a third of phosphorus s alt.

Many gardeners claim that at the time when the fruits ripen on late varieties of apple trees, and the early ones are already harvested, there is no need to feed. This is not entirely reliable. During this period, new buds are formed, on which the future harvest depends. At the same time, the branches are strengthened, which will allow them to better endure the winter. Therefore, organic and mineral nutrition during August is also important for apple trees.

Autumn dressing

Feeding in autumn is done in two stages: in early September and in October. Autumn is the time when apple trees prepare for the upcoming cold weather. They desperately need organic and mineral supplements. It is recommended to use potassium and phosphorus nutrition. Top dressing with nitrogen is prohibited, as it will reduce the frost resistance of the apple tree. For organic nutrition, humus, compost, peat are used, the recommended volume for each tree is about 4 buckets.It is allowed to use complex fertilizer.

Food is brought before winter in the process of digging at a distance of half a meter from the trunk, along the perimeter of the foliage. It is allowed to dig holes with a recommended depth of 40 cm.

Basic fertilizer applications

The amount of fertilizer used for top dressing must comply with the standards developed by agricultural technology. A large number of them, as well as a shortage, will negatively affect the state of fruit crops: resistance to diseases decreases, yields decrease.

It is important to understand: what kind of fertilizer is applied. Recommended feeding methods:

root;
foliar.

In the first, the necessary valuable components enter the near-trunk area and along the perimeter of the foliage. Hole feeding is used. But sometimes it becomes ineffective. For example, sufficiently dry soil reduces the absorption of nutrients in fertilizers.

Worth considering! Chemical elements introduced randomly, without meeting the deadlines, volumes, will begin to interact and have a negative impact.

The meaning of foliar top dressing is to apply not under the root system, but on the green part of the apple tree, on the area of the leaf plate. Foliage is able to actively absorb and assimilate the most important valuable components. The result becomes apparent after 3-4 days. The effect lasts for about three weeks. Most often, top dressing is carried out in cases where the apple tree is in dire need of any nutrients.

The frequency of such nutrition is once every 20-25 days. It is recommended to carry out such top dressing at least 2 times a season: the first - during the formation of foliage, the second - at the time of flowering when the fruit is set.

Foliar feeding rules:

The selected type of fertilizer must be water soluble.
For nitrogen nutrition, a 0.3% carbamide solution is suitable for a young apple tree, 0.5% for an adult.
For nutrition with phosphorus - superphosphate. It is poorly soluble, it is recommended to fill it with boiling liquid. Bring to 3% concentration.
For potassium nutrition - 1% solution of potassium sulfate.
If necessary, it is allowed to use complex means, they usually include several extremely important trace elements.

Organic top dressing for apple trees

It is recommended to feed young and fruiting apple trees with fertilizers of organic origin.

Fresh manure

This type of fertilizer has a large number of necessary valuable components. It helps to improve the structure of the soil, its physical qualities. It has a lot of potassium, it is perfectly preserved in the ground, the rains do not wash it out.July feeding is enough to provide the apple tree with the necessary useful components before fruit picking.

He has a significant drawback - the complete absence of phosphorus. This trace element must be provided with other types of fertilizer, such as bone or fish meal.

Must

This type of fertilizer includes last year's manure, which is overripe, it has a large amount of nutritional components. The remains of animal and vegetable origin, overheating, form humus. Overripe organics are not capable of harming the roots. Application rates for top dressing, like manure.

Boric acid

Fertilizer with boric acid is produced for the purpose of treating or preventing deformation and drying of the leaves, redness of the veins.

Bird droppings

Feeding with chicken manure is a fairly effective fertilizer, the roots are able to quickly assimilate it. It is used as liquid nutrition: 120 g of dry component per 16-17 liters of liquid. Withstand at least 8-10 days. Dry dressing is carried out when digging in the spring.

It has a high specific gravity of nitrogen when compared to organic cattle. Given this fact, its use in the fall is extremely limited. In the spring, it is also important to comply with the application rates, excessive nutrition will provoke a burn of the root system, young apple trees can especially suffer.

Wood ash

Great contrast to phosphorus or potash supplements. It is effectively used to prepare the tree for the winter season. It contains easily digestible substances: copper, boron, potassium, phosphorus, molybdenum, calcium, manganese. It does not contain chlorine. This is a significant advantage over store counterparts.

It is recommended to apply when digging at the rate of 1 kg/m^{2. It is important to take into account the introduction rates, since it has an alkaline environment, in excessive quantities it is detrimental to microorganisms and earthworms.}

Bone Meal

You can fertilize a tree with bone meal. It includes, in addition to phosphorus, calcium and potassium. Calcium affects the taste of apples, as it takes part in the synthesis of sugar. Considered a long lasting fertilizer.

The dissolution period is about 8 months, although it begins to act immediately after application and releases valuable components at regular intervals. Top dressing is carried out every three years.

Mineral supplements

This kind of top dressing is extremely important for plants, but it is important to observe not only the timing of the introduction, but also the application rates. It is also worth remembering the incompatibility of some fertilizers of this type, they cannot be mixed.

Calcium

Increases the resistance of the apple tree to stress, takes part in the transportation of auxins to the roots, this helps to activate the development of the root system. Calcium, found in apple juice, promotes the absorption of nitrogen, mainly urea. Strengthens cell walls, allowing apples to form a mechanical barrier against pathogens. Strengthens the stalks, which prevents the fall of unripe fruits, promotes their ripening.

It is recommended to apply in spring and autumn along with organic matter to a depth of 40 cm along the perimeter of the apple tree. After the leaves appear, foliar feed according to the instructions so that the apple tree does not get burned.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen provides a lush crown. The apple tree receives this element when urea is introduced. It (another name for carbamide) is able to dissolve perfectly in liquid and absorb very quickly.

It is not necessary to feed it during the rainy season, the granules quickly decompose, nitrogen will evaporate, the tree will starve. The introduction rate is up to 230 g, the amount depends on the size of the apple tree and its age. It is worth considering that carbamide acidifies the soil, a large volume exposes the tree to burns. Urea can be replaced with s altpeter or ammonium sulfate.

Phosphorus

A very necessary element in the life of an apple tree. Its deficiency affects the flowering and ripening of apples, the shade of the foliage becomes crimson instead of green. It helps to endure frost and drought. For nutrition are used: superphosphate, diammophos, ammophos, bone meal.

S altpeter

This fertilizer is recognized as one of the most effective nitrogen fertilization. Used as root method.

Presented in the form of granules or powder. Promotes growth, increased yields, improves resistance to harmful factors.

Magnesium

Magnesium is needed to prevent the appearance of gray spots on the foliage and falling from the lower layers of the crown. For this, magnesium sulfate is processed.

Potassium

Potassium helps increase yields, improves the taste of apples, strengthens the immune system. Potassium chloride or potassium nitrate is used. They actively dissolve in the liquid, but penetration into the soil is relatively slow. On sandy soils, the application dosage is increased.

Potassium sulfate is recognized as a universal fertilizer with a huge amount of valuable elements: calcium, magnesium, sulfur and potassium. It helps to activate the development and growth of apple trees, improves the taste of fruits.

Top dressing is used at any time of the season, but it is mainly recommended to feed in the fall. It is important to evenly distribute the granules on the ground at a distance of 25 cm from the border of the trunk.They increase resistance to adverse winter conditions, improve soil fertility and crop quality.

Sodium humate

This fertilizer is used to speed up fruiting processes, increase the immunity of trees. It also helps to get rid of excess nitrites accumulated in fruits. Gardeners believe that it helps the fruits ripen faster.

For foliar feeding in the spring, dilute 3 g in 10 liters of liquid. It is necessary to spray all the foliage. The fertilizer includes in its composition: nitrogen, potassium, humic acids, phosphorus and other trace elements. Spring nutrition promotes a set of strength, strengthens the protective properties of the apple tree and increases productivity.

Iron vitriol

Apple trees are highly susceptible to chlorosis, it is characterized by a lack of iron, resulting in underdevelopment of the leaf plate, early fall of foliage. There is also a decrease in yield due to the underdevelopment of the fruits themselves.

For treatment and prophylactic purposes, iron sulfate in solution is effectively used. It can be made at home: add 10-12 g of citric acid to 12 liters of liquid, mix thoroughly until completely dissolved and pour 10 g of vitriol. The resulting solution is sprayed on an apple tree in early spring or autumn, when the foliage is shed.

The difference in the care of adults and young apple trees

It is important to apply all fertilizers in accordance with the developed norms. There are differences in the variety and norms of the introduction of dressings. It is worth knowing that the same fertilizer has different input dosages in accordance with the age category of apple trees.

The seedling, first of all, feels the lack of phosphate fertilizers, it is important for growth and strengthening of the roots. Within a year after planting, the apple tree does not require additional nutrition, provided that the necessary components were introduced during planting.

For the 2-3rd year, food is already needed. Attention is paid to top dressing in the spring, it contributes to the growth of apple branches and roots. The introduction of nitrogen alone is not enough, slurry will also not be enough. A complex composition is needed: 900 g of bird droppings, 950 g of superphosphate, 750 g of potassium sulfate per 18 liters of liquid. After 2-3 weeks, it recommends foliar top dressing.

Trees after 10 years of age, to ensure high yields, feel a lack of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, which is applied only in spring, and potassium and phosphorus during the growth and ripening of apples.

In the process of digging and top dressing, young apple trees are dug in, the recommended depth is up to 20 cm, adults - up to 40 cm.

Feeding the roots of a young apple tree is carried out along the perimeter so as not to burn the trunk.

Apple trees after 10 years of age require special care, since the development process stops, they spend their energy on the processes of regeneration of roots and crowns. A lot of effort is given to fruiting.

The trunk circle of a young and adult apple tree is different. For trees over the age of 10 years, it is 5-6 m2^2.

Fertilizer for planting pit

In order not to fertilize immediately for the first time after planting, it is important to correctly introduce the necessary components into the pit. It must be dug up and filled accordingly.

Mistakenly digging a large hole (1m deep). If fertilizers are placed too deep, young roots are not able to reach them. Phosphorus also becomes indigestible at depth. Potash fertilizers are deeply absorbed, but small roots are not able to reach them.

When planting, you need to dig a hole measuring 50 by 50 cm. At the bottom is 150-200 g of ash, which can be replaced with 10 g of potash fertilizers. Then pour black soil mixed with 25 g of superphosphate. About 15 cm of the hole is left empty, the main food is placed in this layer.

The soil is mixed with humus in equal proportions. Add complex fertilizer, according to the instructions, but during the spring planting period. In autumn, it does not have time to digest, and the presence of nitrogen will damage the tree.

When planting in autumn, complex nutrition is transferred to spring. When loosening, you need to introduce azofoska. You can use manure.

Popular mistakes

When feeding, some gardeners make similar mistakes:

Fertilizer input rates should not be increased, excess is just as harmful to apple trees as lack.
During foliar feeding, an overdose of nitrogenous components will burn the crown.
Foliar top dressing is carried out in the morning or in the evening, mainly when it is cloudy.
Excess potassium interferes with the absorption of magnesium and phosphorus.

Proper feeding, consisting of a competent choice of the necessary fertilizers, compliance with the norms and terms of introduction will provide the gardener with a quality crop, and the trees with he alth.