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Planting a peach in the fall is not as simple a procedure as it might seem at first glance. In addition to the fact that this tree itself is quite capricious, the proximity of winter is an additional deterrent. However, if certain rules are followed, such a procedure can be carried out quite successfully, and this does not require any extra effort.
When to plant peach: spring or autumn
Most gardeners agree that the best time to plant fruit trees (and peaches in particular) is spring. Indeed, a tree planted in the spring will have time to take root over the summer and fall, adapt well to the new place and go into hibernation without any problems. However, during this time, the seedling will waste energy on grazing shoots and green mass, without developing roots sufficiently.
A positive aspect of autumn planting is that the seedling is not bothered by diseases or pests in winter.During this time, its root system manages to become strong enough to quickly enter the growing season in the spring and ensure rapid growth of the plant.
Of course, there is a danger that a peach planted in the fall simply will not have time to take root before the onset of cold weather and will die. Therefore, autumn planting can be recommended only in those regions where the autumn is warm and long, and the winter is short and mild. If frosts begin already in October, there is no alternative to planting peach in spring.
Peach planting dates in autumn
Exact dates autumn planting of peaches It is quite difficult to determine, since they are different for each region. For the procedure to be successful, 2 conditions must be met:
- The plant should be at rest.
- There must be at least 6 weeks left before the onset of frost.
In the southern regions, the best time for this is the first half of September, in Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory - until mid-October.
How to plant a peach in the fall
Before planting a peach, you need to evaluate all the possible consequences of such a step. A peach will not always grow and not everywhere, but it will produce a harvest - even more so. It is also worth considering that a peach tree lives for 20–25 years, and it is extremely undesirable to replant it.
Choosing a suitable location
Peach needs sun and warmth, which is why it is usually planted on the south side of the plot. It would be good if there was a fence or building from the north that would protect it from the cold wind. In this case, the distance to it should be at least 2.5–5 m, otherwise it will interfere with the growth of the crown and roots.
The peach will survive hot weather and lack of rain without problems, but excess moisture can become a real disaster for it.When planting, you should avoid lowlands, wetlands, and any places with high groundwater levels. The best location would be the southern or southeastern slope of the hill.
When planting a peach, you need to take into account what grew in this place before. You should not plant it after nightshade crops:
- tomatoes;
- potatoes;
- eggplant.
A place that previously grew strawberries, watermelon or melon is not suitable for planting. In addition, you should not plant a peach after an old peach tree. Even if the clearing is carried out efficiently, it is better to postpone the planting procedure for several years and wait for the soil to clear. To speed up the process, you can sow the area with oats or rye.
Soil preparation
Peach grows well on loose loamy and sandy loam soils; black soil is also suitable for its cultivation. But it will not grow on saline soils. Before planting, it is advisable to clear the area of weed and dig, thereby saturating the soil with oxygen. Planting holes are dug based on the size of the seedling. Their diameter can be from 0.5 to 1 m, and their depth can be up to 0.8 m.
The soil removed from the hole should be set aside. It will need to be mixed with humus (about 2-3 buckets) and added 1 glass of wood ash. This soil mixture should be poured into an even cone into the planting hole to about 2/3 of the depth. The prepared pit should last at least two weeks, and preferably 1–2 months.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
High-quality planting material is half the success. Therefore, you should not save on seedlings.It is better to buy them from reliable suppliers or specialized nurseries. It is better to choose a zoned variety, intended for cultivation in a specific area.
Before purchasing a seedling, you must inspect it thoroughly. For autumn planting, two-year-old seedlings are preferable. Their height by this time should be at least 1.2 m, thickness - at least 1.5 cm. The seedling should have a developed crown of 3-4 branches, as well as fully formed buds. The root system must be well developed; if there is only one root, there may be problems with survival.
In appearance, the seedling should look absolutely healthy. It should not have mechanical damage, wilted foliage or root rot. If you peel back the bark on the trunk, there should be a green layer of cambium underneath.
You need to purchase seedlings immediately before planting. When transporting, the roots must be wrapped in wet burlap and wrapped in plastic. A day before planting, the seedling must be placed entirely in water, to which a growth stimulator can be added.
How to plant a peach in the fall
The planting procedure itself is simple if all preparatory measures are made in advance. It is produced as follows:
- Having retreated from the center of the hole, you need to drive one or two supports into the bottom, to which the planting will be subsequently tied, preferably a two-year-old planted tree. The garter will protect it from damage by wind and snow in the first two years of life. The support must be installed before planting, otherwise there is a high risk of damaging the roots.
- Try on a seedling by placing it on top of a mound placed in a hole. The root collar should be 3–4 cm above ground level. If the seedling is located higher or lower, you need to add soil or remove it a little.
- Water the soil in the planting hole. This will require 5–10 liters of water, depending on the type of soil and the size of the hole. The soil under the roots of the future seedling must be completely moistened.
- Place the seedling strictly vertically, straighten the roots and gradually fill the planting hole with the prepared soil mixture, controlling the depth of the root collar. Pour water over and tamp lightly.
- Form an earthen roller around the seedling, 50–60 cm in circumference and 10–15 cm high. It will act as a barrier and prevent water from spreading after watering.
- Mulch the tree trunk circle with peat, humus, pine needles or tree bark chips. For a mild winter, a layer of mulch of 5 cm will be enough, but if severe frosts are expected, then it can be doubled.
Subsequent care of seedlings
If the seedling is well developed, then immediately after planting it is pruned, thus beginning to form the future crown. The seedling must be covered for the winter; the peach is a heat-loving tree. The easiest way is to use burlap or other material that allows air to pass through for this purpose. The tree needs to be wrapped several times and then covered with earth from below.
You can use thick cardboard, roll it into a tube around the seedling and stuff hay, straw or wood shavings inside.
A video about planting peach in the fall can be viewed at the link below.
How to replant a peach in the fall
It is not advisable to replant the peach.Therefore, it is so important to choose the right place for planting. However, circumstances may develop in such a way that a transfer to a new place becomes necessary.
When to replant a peach: in spring or autumn
A peach no older than 7 years can be replanted to another location. This is the maximum age; it is better that the tree being transplanted is no older than 5 years. The transplantation procedure can only be done in late autumn, when the tree is completely ready for winter and is in deep hibernation.
Replanting a peach in the fall to a new location
Transplanting a peach in the fall is a rather long and labor-intensive task. You need to try to preserve the soil on the roots as much as possible, so dig a ditch around the tree with a diameter of about one and a half meters and a depth of 1 m. This entire earthen lump, along with the tree, needs to be moved to a new place, where a ready-made planting hole of the same size should be waiting for it.
At the bottom of the new hole you need to pour a layer of turf soil mixed with ash. You can also add a little superphosphate. After this, the pit is watered abundantly. After planting, all voids must be filled with soil, and the root zone should be watered abundantly.
Caring for peach after transplantation
After replanting, it will be necessary to restore the balance of the root system and crown. When transplanting, some of the roots will be irretrievably lost, and some will not take root in the new place. The surviving roots simply cannot feed the entire above-ground part of the tree, so part of it needs to be cut off. Watering should be carried out systematically until the coldest weather, making sure that the soil is moist.
Conclusion
Planting peach in the fall is widely practiced in the southern regions of our country. If climatic conditions permit, it is worth carrying out the procedure at this time.In other regions, it is more advisable to plant peaches in the spring. The main thing to remember is that both of these methods will lead to the desired result if you follow all the necessary rules and deadlines.
