Content
Planting apple trees in the spring with seedlings in the Urals should be carried out taking into account the climate of the region. Only in this case will the tree be able to fully develop and bear fruit regularly, even despite unfavorable weather conditions. Therefore, you need to study in advance all the nuances of planting in the spring, so that later problems do not arise. Since ignoring the recommendations leads not only to the weakening of the seedling, but also to its death in winter.
Planting an apple tree in the spring is preferable in the Urals than in the fall
Features of the climate in the Urals
The climatic conditions of the Urals are far from ideal for growing apple trees, as they are characterized by severity and unpredictability. This region is characterized by frequent weather changes and uneven precipitation.
In the summer, heavy rain and hail may fall in the middle of a sunny day, and gusts of wind may suddenly increase. Winters in the Urals are also harsh with high frosts. In addition, most of the region is represented by a mountain system. This means that the Urals have mostly rocky soil that is not very fertile.Therefore, to successfully grow apple trees, it is necessary not only to select varieties with high vitality and frost resistance, but also to plant them taking into account the requirements of the crop, creating the most favorable conditions.
When to plant apple trees in spring in the Urals
It is necessary to plant apple trees in the spring, when the snow has completely melted and the soil has warmed to a depth of 15-20 cm. It is important that the seedling does not begin to grow and the air temperature remains above +5 ° at any time of the day. Therefore, the optimal time for planting apple trees in the spring in the Urals is the beginning of May.
In addition, you need to pay attention to weather conditions. If there are still frosts ahead, it is recommended to wait a little while planting, otherwise the seedling will die without having time to take root. However, you cannot delay the procedure too much. Indeed, in the presence of favorable conditions, the tree will begin to grow, so it will not be able to take root well, since it will waste energy on the development of the crown.
How to plant an apple tree in spring in the Urals
Before planting an apple tree in the spring in the Urals, you need to choose the right place, as well as prepare the seedling and hole in advance. After all, the duration of his adaptation to a new place and his further development directly depend on this.
Preparation of seedlings
To successfully grow apple trees in the Urals, it is necessary to select seedlings on semi-dwarf and dwarf rootstocks. They are distinguished by their compact crown and root system, which is important given the climatic conditions of the region.
It is recommended to purchase planting material from nurseries and specialized stores.This ensures that the tree matches the selected variety. One- and two-year-old seedlings are suitable for planting in spring in the Urals, since older specimens may not adapt to new conditions and will die as a result. Young apple trees should have a healthy appearance without signs of diseases and pests, as well as a well-developed root system. If there is mechanical damage to the bark, it is recommended to refuse the purchase. You also need to check the condition of the roots. Healthy shoots when cut are light and moist without a brown tint.
You cannot purchase seedlings for planting that have begun to bud.
A day before planting an apple tree in the spring in the Urals, it is necessary to place it in water or a root stimulant solution. Saturating the roots with moisture helps enhance growth processes and accelerates the tree’s adaptation to a new location.
Selecting a location
For this fruit tree, you need to choose a sunny, open place where it will be well lit throughout the day. It is important that the area is protected from cold gusts of wind and drafts.
The best option is to plant near a fence or buildings at a distance of 3 m on the south side of the garden. In this case, the apple tree will be able to fully develop, since it will be less susceptible to adverse external factors, but at the same time receive the maximum amount of sunlight.
When choosing a planting site, it is also recommended to take into account the groundwater level in the area. It must be at least 2 m. Otherwise, after a few years of successful cultivation, the apple tree will die, since its roots will be washed away by water.
Pit preparation
It is necessary to prepare the hole in advance so that the soil has time to settle. It is best to do this in the fall or at least two weeks before planting in the spring. The pit should be 90 cm deep and 1.2 m in diameter. Lay broken brick or large crushed stone at the bottom in a layer of 10 cm. This will prevent constant contact of the roots with moisture, even during prolonged rainy weather.
The remaining space of the hole must be filled to the top with nutritious soil mixture. It should consist of turf, sand, peat, humus, leaf soil in a ratio of 2:1:1:1:1. It is also additionally recommended to add 50 g of superphosphate and 40 g of potassium sulfide, and then thoroughly mix the fertilizers with the soil.
The culture prefers a neutral acidity level
Planting scheme
You need to plant an apple tree in the spring in the Urals correctly, according to the standard scheme. After all, the further development of the seedling, its life expectancy and productivity depend on this.
Algorithm for planting in spring:
- Make a raised mound of soil in the center of the hole.
- Place a strong wooden support next to it.
- Place the seedling on the mound and carefully straighten the roots.
- Pour two buckets of water into the hole.
- Sprinkle the roots with soil and fill all the voids.
- Compact the soil at the base of the apple tree.
- Tie it to the support with soft elastic twine.
When planting, the root collar of the seedling should be 5 cm above the soil level, and after the soil settles, be in line with it. Excessive penetration into the ground has a negative impact on further development and fruiting.And the location above the permissible level causes the roots to be exposed and freeze in winter.
The permissible distance between trees in the garden and other tall crops is 4 m
Care instructions
It is important to know not only how to properly plant an apple tree in the Urals in the spring, but also to ensure proper care of the plant in the future, taking into account the requirements of the crop. This will allow the seedling to quickly take root and strengthen its immunity before the upcoming winter.
You can clearly see how to plant apple trees in the spring with seedlings in the Urals in the video:
Watering
After planting in the spring in the Urals, a young apple tree needs to be watered regularly for the first two months, avoiding the root system from drying out. It is recommended to do this weekly during a long absence of rain, using settled water at a temperature of +15-22 °C. After each moistening, it is necessary to loosen the soil in the root soil to maintain air access to the roots. In the future, the duration between waterings should be doubled.
Mature apple trees in the Urals need moisture much less often. Watering is important for them during the period of budding, flowering and fruit formation. When moistening, the soaking of the soil under the tree crown should be up to 15 cm.
Top dressing
It is recommended to start feeding apple trees in the Urals only from the third year after planting in the spring. Before this, the seedling will consume the nutritional components added to the hole. You can use fertilizers for the first time in the spring at the beginning of the growing season. During this period, it is important to use urea at the rate of 30-100 g per apple tree. The second and third feedings must be carried out after flowering and during fruit formation. During these periods, it is recommended to use superphosphate 50-100 g and potassium sulfide 40-80 g per tree.
Fertilizing should be done after watering to prevent burns to the roots.
Trimming
The apple tree needs formative pruning in early spring before the buds open. Immediately after planting, the main conductor must be shortened by 1/3. And from the buds left on the trunk, side shoots are formed next season. Of these, you need to select 2-3 of the strongest, growing in different directions. It is important that the angle of their departure from the trunk is at least 45 degrees.
In the third year after planting, it is necessary to leave 2-3 branches that will form the second tier of the crown, and remove the rest. It is also recommended to shorten the main conductor annually so that its growing point is 20 cm above the side shoots. In the fourth year, it is necessary to shorten all the branches of the apple tree by 1/3, leaving the outer top bud.
Sanitary pruning is also recommended for the tree, which should be done not only in the spring, but throughout the entire season. During the procedure, it is necessary to remove broken, damaged shoots and shoots growing in the middle of the crown.
Pruning should be done in the morning in dry weather.
Graft
In order to increase the winter hardiness of a certain apple tree variety, grafting can be used. This procedure is recommended to be carried out during the period of active sap flow, which guarantees rapid adaptation of the scion to the rootstock. In the Urals this happens in the spring in April, when the frosts subside, and in the summer - in early August.
Possible methods of vaccination:
- budding;
- into the cleft;
- copulation;
- bridge;
- for the bark;
- into the side cut.
Preparing for winter
In order for the apple tree to survive the winter well, it needs to be prepared. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out water-charging watering in mid-September at the rate of 3-10 buckets per tree, depending on its age.
Also, in late autumn, it is necessary to lay a 10 cm thick layer of humus in the root circle to protect the root system. And then wrap the trunk of the apple tree in several layers with spandbond.
Protection from diseases and pests
Adverse weather conditions, which are not uncommon in the Urals, reduce the immunity of the apple tree, which makes it susceptible to fungal diseases. Therefore, it is necessary in the spring before buds open and in the fall after leaf fall to spray the crown and trunk with a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture and copper sulfate. It is important that the air temperature is within +5-10 °C.
Pests can also cause damage to seedlings. Therefore, the apple tree should be regularly inspected and sprayed with insecticides when signs of damage appear.
When repeating treatments, the drugs must be alternated
Conclusion
Planting apple trees in the spring with seedlings in the Urals is carried out taking into account the climate of the region and the characteristics of the culture. Only in this case can you count on rapid adaptation of the tree and its high productivity in the future for many years.
