Homeliness, Gardening
When is it better to plant apples - in spring or in autumn? At what distance should you plant apple trees?
With the acquisition of a suburban site, every gardener has a desire to have a luxurious apple orchard. In this regard, there are numerous questions about the choice of seedlings, their competent planting and about when to plant apple trees in the suburbs. In addition, not all varieties can take root in the seasonal conditions of the northern region of Russia. From the correct solution of these issues depends the fertility and welfare of the future orchard.
Choosing a season for planting apple trees
There are different opinions about when to plant apple-trees in spring or autumn. It depends on the local climate, on the chosen variety, on the condition of the root system and on weather conditions.
Seedling, grown and kept in the right conditions until the moment of sale, can well take root both in spring and in autumn. The main thing is to have the apple tree planted before the frost in the fall period, from the end of September to the middle of October. If the seedlings are acquired later, then it is better to wait for spring, otherwise the culture will not have time to settle down and freeze.
An important aspect in planting is the tranquility of a tree without leaves. In this state, the plant does not lose moisture, its branches do not shrink. In addition, soil conditions that restore the roots of the seedling are important. This requires a rainy season, which comes to the middle of Russia with the onset of autumn. In the case of transferring the planting of apple trees in the spring should be carried out, without waiting for the buds to expand and the appearance of dirt in the soil. To avoid unnecessary labor, it is necessary to prepare in advance the seats.
Categories of apple trees for Moscow region
If you have decided on when to plant apple trees in the suburbs, then it remains to choose suitable varieties. The climate in the Moscow region, located in the northern part of Russia, is quite severe, so the southern varieties will not give the desired growth and yield. Winter hardy varieties will be good in this area. Also, apple trees differ in the time of fruiting. There are trees that bear fruit in the summer, there are those that bring the harvest in the fall.
To summer varieties of apple trees are "pear", "candy", "Medunitsa", "Chinese gold" and others. Late autumn varieties, such as "Zhigulevskoe", "cinnamon striped", "cinnamon new", "shtreyfling", are characterized by high yields, large fruits, juicy sour-sweet taste. The most famous winter variety of apples is "Antonovka".
Based on the timing of fruit ripening and the desire to have apples year-round, it is prudent to plant at least two trees of each fruit-bearing category.
Planting of apple trees in spring
On the question of when it is better to plant apples - in the spring or in the autumn, many gardeners are thinking. Those who decided to plant trees in the first half of the year should do so before the onset of the thaw. In the case of late planting, the roots are poorly restored, the plant lags behind in growth and is ill for a long time. Young leaves burn under the influence of the May sun, and the tree sinks. For spring planting, the best age of seedlings is not more than 3 years. At a time when planting apple trees in spring, the soil should warm up. To check this, just shovel the soil. If the bayonet easily entered the ground, you can begin landing operations.
Planting of apple trees in autumn
Councils of experts will help to decide when it is better to plant apples - in spring or in autumn.
Autumn planting of apple seedlings is preferable in that the root system is at rest and gets used to new conditions. For successful growth and obtaining a large volume of harvest, it is necessary to find out when it is best to plant apple in autumn. Many gardeners recommend choosing the time before the start of frost. The best option is September - early October. If the forecast promises arid and harsh autumn, then it's better to wait until the spring with a landing.
In autumn, the seedling should be placed in a place protected from the wind. The apple tree loves to live in loamy soil containing peat, in which sand and compost must be added. We have a tree on the north side of the peg and cover the roots with earth. Watering the seedling with a few buckets of water, pour a little more ground, as it settles. We repeat watering in a week and we tie a tree. For the winter, a young seedling should be wrapped in a dense cloth, protecting it from rodents.
A good harvest depends on the planting material being purchased. Therefore, it is worth to carefully choose the sprouts of apple trees.
Tips for choosing apple seedlings
When buying an apple tree, pay attention to the roots, which should not be dry. Do not take the planting material brought from the south. It is not adapted to the conditions of the Moscow region and will constantly freeze, and in the harsh winter may die.
It is better to buy a tree in a local nursery that you will dig out for you. The main thing is that the seedling is young, then he will quickly settle down on the site. To keep the roots, they must be wrapped in wet paper before being transported, and then wrapped in polyethylene film.
Seedlings in containers
Carefully inspect the trees in containers. If they are really grown in them, then through the drainage outlets the growing young roots should be visible. This will be the best choice, because if the seedling is grown in the local region, then it was planted with seeds and managed to adapt. In addition, such a plant is inoculated and quickly begins to bear fruit. These trees do not need time to survive, so there is no doubt when it is better to plant apples - in the spring or in the fall, will not arise. They can be transplanted at any time.
The landing site should be chosen without haste, since the apple tree is planted not for a short time, but for many years.
Preparing a landing site
When choosing a seat, it is worth paying attention to the presence of other plants outside the site, able to protect the apple trees from the north wind. Do not plant trees with the whole garden area, otherwise after a few years the house will plunge into a solid shadow and overgrow with grass. The perimeter of the plot will tell you how to plant apple trees correctly. Often they are located along the border of the site, retreating by 4 meters and avoiding the southern side.
If you decide to plant the seedlings in the spring, then the place should be prepared from autumn. Clay soil does not allow water to pass, so trees should not be planted in such a pit . In this case, you need to raise the level of the surface by 80 cm, thereby creating a hill. It can consist of a compost heap, sprinkled with peat or sand.
The presence of groundwater in the surface layers of the earth also interferes with planting. In such a situation it is necessary to make the central root branch along the upper layer of the earth. For this, from broken bricks or stones an obstacle is created at the bottom of the landing pit. Do not forget to specify at what distance to plant apple trees, so that the roots do not interfere with each other.
Correct planting of apple seedlings
Before planting a tree, it is necessary to hold its roots in water for about three hours. After planting, you should not trample down the ground around the apple tree, thereby blocking air access to the roots. It is better to gradually pour the soil as it is watered, so it will evenly cover the roots and provide free penetration to the air.
That the seedling does not fall from the gusts of a strong wind, it should be tied up. The most reliable way is a three-ply construction.
It is necessary to maintain a balance between the root and the ground part of the plant, so that it will not dry out later. To do this, shorten all the branches by a third, the damaged root system will be easier to distribute moisture.
At what distance to plant an apple tree depends on the size of the tree in a few years. Saplings of vigorous varieties are planted after 4 meters. The next row is created after 6 meters. The grown-up is 3 meters long with a row spacing of 5 meters.
A properly planted tree in a few years will bring juicy and sweet fruits. And throughout his life he will enjoy a plentiful harvest of fragrant and useful apples.
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