How to cover an apricot for the winter: tree care in the fall, pruning and preparation

Apricot trees of some varieties have low frost resistance and need special care. In anticipation of the onset of cold weather, many gardeners have a question about how to cover apricots for the winter. The process of protecting trees is one of the key stages in preparing for the cold season, since further development and fruiting depend on the shelter.

Features of apricot care in autumn and preparation for winter

Pre-winter seedling care is carried out in order to prepare for the upcoming frosts. In addition to pruning foliage, it is required to ensure the safety of the bark and wood. Comprehensive and proper care makes it possible to create optimal conditions for wintering plants.

During the preparation of the apricot for winter, the soil around the seedlings is covered with a layer of mulch from hay, sawdust, humus and straw. Mulching is necessary to protect the roots and improve the properties of seedlings. The root neck of the trunk is protected with a material with sufficient breathability to prevent rotting.

Harming the lower part of the trunk leads to poor cold tolerance and a drop in yield.

To protect the main part of the trunk, it is necessary to treat the bark with a solution of lime. Covering will reduce the risk of pests penetrating under the bark and strengthen the base of the branches. Having wondered how to prepare a protective solution, it is enough to mix 10 liters of clean water, 2 kg of lime, 200 g of copper sulfate and 250 g of flour paste.

Apricot pruning in autumn

One of the essential steps in caring for fruit trees is crown pruning. When pruning vegetation, there are a number of nuances that must be taken into account, since the correct execution of the process contributes to the maturation of a good crop.

What is pruning for

Pruning foliage and old branches is necessary to create a decorative and neat crown. Pruning also has a practical purpose - it increases the degree of penetration of sunlight to apricots and has a positive effect on ventilation.

When is the best time to prune - spring or fall?

Pruning is allowed twice a year. In autumn, the crowns of trees are shaped and old branches are removed. In early March, with the onset of heat, frozen shoots are removed after the cold weather. When planting in the northern regions, both prunings should be done during the spring so that the tree fully recovers during the warm season.

Pruning dates

You should not delay the processing of the crown for a long period, since the cut points should recover before the temperature drops below 8 degrees.The exact dates are determined taking into account the weather conditions in a particular area. In the central regions, the procedure is performed during the first decade of October, in the southern region - from mid-October to November 10, in the north - at the beginning of September.

How to trim properly

To perform crown trimming, just follow the step-by-step instructions. It involves the following steps:

After the first year of cultivation, the upper part of the trees is partially cut off, the length of which reaches a quarter of the height of the entire trunk.
A few shoots are left on the trunk, shortened to at least 30 cm.
On the 3rd-5th year of life of apricots, the shoots are partially removed, keeping a distance of about 50-55 cm between the remaining ones.
The long shoots formed on the central part of the trunk are cut off in half.

Features of pruning young and old apricots in autumn

Skeletal branches are left on young seedlings during the period of active crown growth, and the rest are cut off. Lateral shoots are partially cut so that they are in a horizontal position.

Adult apricots, unlike newly planted trees, are only periodically cultivated. This is necessary for the intensive growth of new branches.

Shelter for the winter

The need for shelter is due to the lack of frost resistance of apricots. Covering material provides protection to the roots and maintains the optimum temperature in the lower part of the trees.

How to cover

Depending on the weather conditions and the characteristics of a particular region, the way how to cover the trees depends. In the northern regions, entire trees should be covered. A film material is put on over the seedlings, the edges of which are fixed with stakes in the ground.

Features of sheltering young and old apricots for the winter

Young seedlings should be protected first, as their roots are in the developmental stage and can collapse during prolonged cold weather. The branches and trunk of immature apricots should be covered with burlap or a thick cloth.

Old trees planted in the middle zone need weaker insulation. The area around the roots is covered with mulch, which protects ripening apricots from the cold. Adult apricot plantations planted in the north are protected by analogy with young ones, after shortening their trunks to a height of about 2.5 m.

Features of preparing an apricot for winter

Preparation for the winter season varies depending on the temperature characteristics of the region in which the crop is grown. The main problems to prevent in the preparation process are freezing and scorching.

In the middle lane

When growing fruit trees in the middle lane, it is necessary to take into account the likelihood of a sudden drop in temperature. To avoid freezing of branches and buds, you should mulch in advance, wrap the trunk with covering material and ensure air permeability.

In the Volga region

To get a good harvest of apricots when grown in the Volga region, it is necessary to prune trees to a height of 2.5 m on the eve of winter. .

For additional protection, it is recommended to cover a layer of mulch with agrospan and fix it on the soil surface.

In the Urals and Siberia

Climate features in the Siberian regions and the Urals require the same shelter as in the Volga region.At the same time, it should be borne in mind that in conditions of low temperatures there is a risk of fruit decay with the onset of spring warming. A large amount of snow falling in winter melts during warming, and the liquid waterlogs the basal neck. Excess moisture leads to root rot and subsequent death of fruit trees.