Content
The apple tree was domesticated on the territory of modern Kazakhstan, in the foothills of Alatau. From there, during the time of Alexander the Great, it came to Europe. The apple tree quickly spread and took its rightful place, first in southern gardens, and then spread to other regions. It was believed that the fruits of this tree give a person eternal youth and even immortality. Interestingly, the Celtic paradise – Avalon literally means “land of apples”.
We grow this crop because of its tasty, healthy fruits, its unpretentiousness and durability. Even without much apple tree care capable of growing and producing crops in one place for decades. But correct agricultural technology significantly improves the quality and quantity of fruits, extends the life of the tree, and its resistance to pests and diseases. Proper planting of apple trees in autumn or spring is of utmost importance. It depends on it whether our tree will grow healthy and fruitful or whether it will constantly get sick and produce a meager harvest.
Apple tree planting time
When is it better to plant apple trees, in spring or autumn? This question is often asked by beginning gardeners.Apple trees can be planted both in the spring, preferably before the sap begins to flow, and in the fall, after leaf fall. In order to choose the optimal period, you need to know some important points:
- When planted in spring, the apple tree has time to take root well before winter. But in the initial stages of growth, it requires abundant watering and protection from the heat, which can come suddenly in the southern regions. But in the northern regions, early planting is preferable; it can begin when the soil warms up a little.
- If you plant an apple tree seedling in the fall, you don’t have to worry that it will suffer from the heat. Growth processes do not stop even in winter, they simply die out. By spring, the tree will adapt to its new location and begin to actively develop.
So planting an apple tree in autumn preferred in all regions except those where winters are always harsh, and snow cover is weak or absent due to strong winds or other factors. This does not mean that in the north trees of this species can be placed on the site only in the spring, and in the south - on the eve of cold weather. We have indicated the preferred landing dates, nothing more.
Special mention should be made about trees grown in containers. It is believed that planting an apple tree with a closed root system is permissible even in summer, because the plant is transferred to the ground along with a lump of earth. This operation will be painless only in regions with cold or temperate climates. Where the summer is hot, the dry tree will still be depressed and will have a hard time with planting. It will need to be shaded, watered abundantly every other day, and treated with anti-stress medications. We recommend moving the planting time to a more suitable season, and equipping the container with side holes and burying it in the shade.
How to choose the right seedlings
It is important to choose apple tree seedlings correctly. Probably, even experienced gardeners once bought a long-loved variety secondhand, but what they got was not at all what they wanted. You need to purchase planting material only from nurseries or garden centers.
How to choose a variety
Choose only zoned varieties. Even the best apple tree, planted correctly and on time, carefully cared for, but not intended for growing in your region, will not give a good harvest and will only take up space on the site. But that's not all.
We must not forget that most varieties of apple trees are cross-pollinating. This means that to get a good harvest, the tree needs a pollinator variety. Before planting apple tree seedlings in the fall, carefully study their characteristics. Perhaps, in order to get a harvest of the variety you like, you will have to place a fruit tree on your site that you do not need.
Age of planting material
There is no need to think that the larger the apple tree planted on the plot, the faster you will get the harvest. 1-2 year old seedlings take root best. When planting older apple trees, you will have a lot of problems with care and fruiting will still be delayed for several seasons.
This does not apply to trees grown in closed containers; they can be of any age. Just make sure that a large apple tree has an equally large container - the disproportion of sizes between the underground and above-ground parts does not contribute to survival.
Sometimes nurseries sell mature fruit trees along with a ball of earth. It must be comparable in size to the crown and sewn into jute or burlap. It’s even better if you are personally present when the tree is dug up - this way you can make sure that it wasn’t done a month ago.
What to look for
To buy high-quality planting material that will take root well and produce a good harvest every year, carefully inspect the seedlings and pay attention to the following points:
- The grafting site should be smooth and well tightened. Any cracks or damage in this place are unacceptable - the life expectancy of such an apple tree will be short.
- The roots must be alive, well developed and branched. They are elastic, moist, and do not break when folded. If one good root is scratched, there will be white wood underneath. A small amount of dry roots is allowed - before planting the apple tree in the fall, they can be trimmed.
- The tree bark should be smooth and intact.
- An apple tree with an open root system intended for planting in the fall should not be leafy.
- Pay attention to the root system - whether it is wrapped in damp cloth, treated with clay, or protected from drying out in some other way.
- If there are branches, they should be 45-90 degrees from the trunk. If the crown consists of shoots directed vertically, choose another seedling.
- Do not buy the largest apple tree; it is better to choose one with the most powerful roots.
Watch the video where a specialist explains in detail how to choose seedlings:
Apple tree planting site
Before starting a garden, find out where the groundwater lies.
- Tall apple trees, growing up to 6-8 m, have a root system that goes 3 m deep. They are suitable only for areas where groundwater is low.
- Medium-sized apple trees, the height of which varies between 3-4 m, can be planted where the aquifer rises to 2.5 m.
- Dwarfs can be grown in areas where water lies at a depth of about 1.5 m.
Is it possible to plant apple trees in wetlands? First you need to carry out measures to drain water or arrange high ridges for fruit trees and shrubs with a powerful root system.
The area for planting apple trees does not have to be flat. It’s good if it has a slope of 5-6 degrees. Naturally, you cannot grow small apple trees under the canopy of large trees, such as walnuts. The landing site must be well lit. If it is protected from the wind, it will be easier for insects to pollinate the flowers.
The distance between apple trees should be such that they feel free when they become adults. When grown, tall varieties are placed 3-4 meters apart. For medium-sized and dwarfs, the distance should be 3-3.5 m and 2.5 m, respectively. The free space between the rows should be almost twice the gap between the trees.
Apple tree planting
Now let's look at how to properly plant an apple tree in the fall. We will give instructions on how to prepare the tree itself and the pit. And to make it easier for novice gardeners, we will describe the planting process itself in the form of a step-by-step guide.
Preparing the planting hole
The hole for planting an apple tree must be prepared in advance.Of course, it is best to dig it up in the spring, but practice shows that this is done very rarely. Make sure that it is prepared at least a month before planting the tree.
The depth and width of the hole depends on the size of the adult apple tree.
Apple tree | Pit depth, cm | Pit diameter, cm |
Tall | 70 | 100-110 |
Medium height | 60 | 100 |
short | 50 | 90 |
Preparing a hole for planting an apple tree will require the application of fertilizers and a nutritious soil mixture. If necessary, the soil will need to be deoxidized, its mechanical properties improved, and drainage arranged if groundwater is close.
Remove the top fertile layer of soil, the thickness of which is about a spade bayonet, and fold it to the side. Remove the rest of the soil from the site or scatter it between the rows. Mix fertile soil with compost, peat or well-ripened humus.
You need to plant an apple tree in the fall in soil that has already been filled with fertilizers. Add to the planting mixture for each hole:
- superphosphate – 300;
- wood ash – 1 l.
If the soil is too acidic, add 1 kg of lime or dolomite flour.
If aquifers are close to each other, make the hole for planting a tree a little deeper and lay gravel, crushed stone or broken red brick at the bottom. Cover with sand.
Fill the planting hole halfway and water well. Cover the rest of the mixture with cellophane or put it in bags. The planting pit is prepared.
Preparing an apple tree for planting
Before planting an apple tree in the fall, carefully inspect the root system if the tree was not sold in a container. Use a sharp knife to cut off any broken, dry or rotten shoots. Soak the tree root for a day. The apple tree can remain in water longer, but it must be taken into account that potassium is washed out of the plant.Add any soluble fertilizer containing this element to the liquid. If you have root or heteroauxin, dilute it in water to soak the roots according to the instructions - this will significantly speed up the survival of the tree.
Shorten the stem to a height of 90 cm, cut all branches (if any) located below 40 cm from the grafting site into a ring, and cut the rest by 2/3.
Planting process
Now we need to properly plant the apple tree seedling. This is a very important stage in the life of a tree. To make it easier for novice gardeners, we will outline the planting rules point by point.
- Place a mound of pre-stocked planting mixture at the bottom of the hole.
- Place the tree on its top so that the roots are evenly distributed on the sides and in no case bend upward.
- Proper planting of an apple tree implies that the grafting site will be 5-6 cm above the ground level. To make it easier to check, place a shovel on the edges of the hole.
It is easier to plant a tree with two people. - Hold the seedling upright and fill the hole, carefully compacting the soil, starting from the edge.
- When the apple tree is planted, compact the soil with your foot.
- Stick a strong peg into the soil at some distance from the trunk and tie the tree to it in 2-3 places with a thick rope or strong pieces of fabric. The nodes should be weak and not cut into the bark.
- Form a border out of soil along the edge of the planting hole and water, using 2-3 buckets of water per tree.
- When the liquid is absorbed, check the grafting site, add soil, and mulch the tree trunk circle with peat, humus or straw.
Watch a video showing how to plant fruit trees correctly:
Conclusion
As you can see, there is nothing difficult in planting an apple tree; it is much more difficult to choose the right seedling.Have a good harvest!
