Planting fruit trees in spring requires preparation
Every gardener wants to see his garden healthy, beautiful and abundantly fruitful. The key to good growth, lush flowering and harvesting is the correct planting of fruit trees in the spring.
Unfortunately, the owner of the site does not always take this procedure responsibly, choosing the first available place for the tree, somehow organizing a planting hole or arranging seedlings too often, not taking into account their growth. In this case, there is no need to wait for quick fruiting and a good harvest. How and when to plant fruit tree seedlings in spring? Are there any secrets that allow plants to take root faster and start growing?
Dates of planting seedlings of fruit trees in spring
First of all, it is worth clarifying the timing of planting. In the literature, it is often indicated that autumn planting is preferable for tree seedlings, however, it should be borne in mind that this recommendation applies to the southern regions.
In the conditions of a long warm autumn, winter-hardy trees and shrubs have time to acclimatize and take root, tolerating winter well enough and starting to grow from early spring. The further north the garden is located, the greater the risk of the tree freezing.
Therefore, in the northern regions, fruit trees are often planted in the spring. At the same time, it is possible to preserve seedlings of even the most thermophilic crops, as well as successfully transfer plants with an open root system into the ground. True, this landing has one feature. It should be carried out as early as possible so that the seedling meets the beginning of the growing season in the soil at its permanent place of residence. Still "sleeping" trees are not sensitive to active sun and possible frost.
- with the onset of stable heat, when there is no danger of frostbite of the shoots and root system, especially at night;
- in cloudy weather, when there is less risk of sunburn to the kidneys and foliage, not used to direct sun.
The specific dates for planting fruit trees and shrub seedlings in spring depend on the climatic and weather characteristics of the region, the composition of the soil and the location of the site. As a rule, snow melting is less active in the lowlands, the soil dries out worse, which delays the landing.
Whatever the time for planting seedlings of fruit trees in spring, preparation for work begins in the fall, choosing a place for plants in advance and preparing planting holes.
Planting scheme for fruit trees and shrubs on the site
When looking for a place for a future orchard, you need to remember that it is extremely important for plants not only soil fertility and wateringbut also lighting. For young plants, the site is selected so that the seedlings are exposed to light for at least half a day. At the same time, protection from the cold wind must be provided for immature trees.
For early acclimatization, it is advised to plant fruit plants as they grew in the nursery.It is possible to determine the orientation of the tree to the cardinal points, starting from the age of two along the length of the lateral shoots. They are usually better developed on the south side than on the north.
But how to plant a seedling of a fruit tree in the spring if a three-year-old or older plant with an asymmetric crown was brought from the nursery? In this case, it is more useful to expand it so that the short branches face south. After a couple of years, taking into account corrective pruning, the crown will become uniform and correct.
When mastering a new site, novice summer residents often make a serious mistake. When planting fruit trees in spring, they do not take into account that the height, width of the crown and the peculiarities of agricultural technology in the planted species can be very different. The young garden looks well-groomed and grows amicably, but after a few years it is discovered that a large pear completely overshadowed the undersized columnar apple trees, and berry bushes are not visible under the cherry crowns.
Even at the planning stage, the exact layout of the trees is determined. The health of the plants and the harvest they bring will subsequently depend on this plan.
How to determine the minimum distance between fruit trees when planting?
When measuring the distance between seedlings, they are guided by the total value of the height of neighboring adult trees. For example, a fruiting cherry reaches a height of three meters, which means that there should be at least six meters between neighboring trees of the same species and variety. This will create all the conditions for development, as a result:
- the crowns of grown trees will not overlap or shade each other;
- nothing will prevent the pollination of flowering trees, the growth and pouring of fruits;
- it is much easier to care for the crop and harvest.
In addition, with such a planting of fruit trees and shrubs on the site, the risk of infection of the garden with fungal infections and insect damage is seriously reduced.
How to plant fruit tree seedlings in spring?
It is not enough to purchase high-quality planting material. Any seedling can die if the preparation for its planting was carried out "slipshod". The planting of fruit trees planned for the spring suggests that the holes for them will be laid in the fall. If this cannot be done, and the summer resident takes the shovel in the spring, then at least two weeks should pass from the moment the hole is laid until the roots of the tree fall into it.
Two or three year olds apple trees, pears, plums and other stone fruits differ little in size, so a hole is dug under them at least 80 cm in diameter and the same depth. When planting a plant with a closed root system, it is convenient to focus on the size of the container, making the hole 15–20 cm wider and deeper.
To tie a new garden dweller, a solid support is immediately driven into the bottom of the pit, which will help the plant maintain verticality in the coming years.
Oddly enough, caring for a fruit tree begins not after planting, but before it, with fertilizing and preparing the soil into which the seedling will fall. In the fall, fresh manure can be brought into the pit, which will crush over the winter and will not have a burning effect on the roots of the tree. If the soil on the site is too acidic, it is lime or mixed with dolomite flour. If necessary, excessively dense soil is mixed with sand, and fertile black soil is added to the sandy loam.
HSo that during planting in spring the seedling of the fruit tree does not come into contact with the introduced manure or granular agents, a layer of fertilizer is sprinkled with a small amount of fertile soil.
How are fruit trees planted in prepared pits in spring? Step by step execution:
- The roots of plants with an open root system are straightened, if necessary, they are soaked overnight to restore the tone to the wilted areas.
- On a cone of fertile soil, the seedling is installed so that the roots are freely located in the hole, and the root collar is five centimeters above the soil surface. You can check the correct installation of the seedling with a shovel.
- Sprinkle the tree with soil, preventing voids between the roots and under the trunk.
Planting a seedling with a closed root system is much easier. You just need to put a moistened earthen lump in the hole, check the level of the neck and sprinkle the voids with a substrate. At the end of the procedure, young trees and shrubs must be watered.
A video about planting seedlings of fruit trees in the spring will help you to independently understand the intricacies of the process. Careful attention to the needs of the plant and careful preparation will ensure that the theoretical knowledge gained will be useful in practice.