Content
Planting a pear in autumn recommended by many experts. You just need to choose the right timing for each region. In the first years, special attention is paid to pear seedlings, because the development and productivity of the tree depend on the initial care.
When is it better to plant a pear: in spring or autumn?
Pears are planted both in spring and autumn. It is generally accepted that it is better to plant fruit trees in the northern regions in April, at the end of the month, when warm weather sets in, without the threat of too low temperatures during frosts. You can also continue planting until May 9-10, until hot days, during which the young tree is stressed and even withers. During the warm season, pear seedlings will get stronger and survive the winter more easily. In the south, planting is often carried out at the end of September and October.In the middle climate zone, pears can also be planted in early autumn.
What autumn month can you plant pears?
They begin planting pears in the fall from the first days of September. For different regions, the duration of the season for the movement of young pear trees differs depending on the time of onset of stable low temperatures. The seedling will need 3-4 weeks of relatively warm weather to establish itself. Over the next 20-30 days, the tree will be able to acclimatize and prepare for the dormant period.
These are the approximate dates for possible planting of pears in the fall:
- in the southern region, pears can be planted until October 15-20;
- gardeners in the middle climate zone carry out such work until October 5-7;
- in areas with more severe weather conditions, pears are planted only in September.
How to plant a pear tree in the fall
Having decided to plant a pear, gardeners calculate every action, because its fertility depends on the successful placement of the tree. After 5 years, a pear tree does not tolerate transplantation well because it takes deep roots.
Choosing a suitable location
For a pear tree, a site is selected according to the following requirements:
- sunny, spacious place, preferably on the south side of the estate;
- 4-5 m to the nearest buildings and trees;
- groundwater at a depth below 2 m;
- in the middle zone of the country, protection from the north wind is important, especially if there are frosts below 28 °C;
- You cannot plant a pear in the shade of tall ornamental trees, since it requires a lot of sunlight for the fruit to ripen;
- for cross-pollination, which contributes to high yields, it is necessary to plant other pears 5-30 m apart.
But other gardeners claim that rowan easily “shares” its diseases with the pear.
Preparing the landing site
Loamy and sandy loamy, moisture-intensive, loose and fertile soil with an acidity pH of 5-6.5 is suitable for the powerful roots of the tree. On sandy loams, clay is added to the hole; on heavy clay soils, more sand is added to make it looser. Peat bogs are not suitable for pears. 20-30 days before planting, an area of 1.5x1.5 m is dug up and cleared of weeds and old tree roots.
Prepare a hole in advance, adding a substrate with fertilizers so that the soil has time to settle:
- depth 70-90 cm;
- diameter 70-80 cm.
For the substrate, store:
- 2 parts top layer garden soil;
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part humus;
- clay or sand as needed;
- 150-200 g of superphosphate;
- 60-80 g potassium sulfate;
- or 200 g of complex fertilizer.
In heavy clay soil, a hole is dug deeper, up to 120 cm, and a 15-20 cm drainage layer is laid. If the acidity of the area is below pH 5, the substrate is alkalized 20-30 days before planting the pears by pouring a bucket of water into the hole, where 2 cups of dolomite flour or fluff lime are dissolved. A 1-liter jar of wood ash is also added.
Preparation of seedlings
It is important to know that pear seedlings older than 3-5 years do not take root well and often die. In the southern regions it is possible to plant a 1-year-old tree, in the middle zone and to the north - strong 2-year-old trees that can easily adapt to a change of location. It is allowed to plant pears with a closed root system in the fall at the age of 3, in accordance with modern technologies, with the use of machinery.
Before purchasing a pear seedling from a local nursery, where only zoned varieties are grown, it is carefully inspected for the following characteristics:
- height from 1.2 to 1.5 m;
- trunk thickness 1-1.5 cm;
- 3-4 well-developed root shoots;
- absence of any damage;
- live, elastic leaves in autumn or swollen buds in spring.
A seedling with bare roots is soaked for 4-12 hours in a clay mash before planting. The pear in the container is placed in a large container with water, where the earthen lump will soften and the roots will come out of the pot without breaking off.
Rules for planting pear seedlings in autumn
When the substrate has already settled after a 3-5 week stay in the planting hole, 10-15 liters of water are spilled on the soil before placing the tree. At this time, a peg is hammered into which the young pear tree will be attached. Then pour a dry layer of the remaining substrate in the form of a mound and place the roots of the seedling so that the root collar is 4-5 cm above ground level. If a hole is dug on the day of planting, the substrate is carefully trampled down several times so that it does not sag and does not pull down the grafting site; it must remain above the surface of the soil.
The roots are straightened, then covered with earth, from time to time, as if lifting the pear seedling, so that all the voids in the hole are well filled. After planting is completed, the soil is compacted and a groove is made along the diameter of the hole into which water will be poured for irrigation. The seedling must be carefully tied to a peg and the tree trunk circle must be mulched after watering with non-acidic peat, humus, and then with leaves. You can prune only during spring planting. In the fall, the seedling is left to get used to new conditions and prepare for a dormant period.
Transplanting a pear in the fall to a new place
After a year of growth, an unpretentious young tree can still be planted in the fall in another, more suitable place. In this case, the pit is prepared in the summer, the substrate and fertilizers are filled. Having chosen a cloudy day in September, they dig deep into the tree and carefully cut off the long roots. Quickly transfer the pear to a new prepared pit with a dry substrate. The soil is compacted, watered and mulched on top.
The nuances of planting a columnar pear in the fall
Columnar pears are placed compactly, every 1.5 m. The trees can withstand low temperatures and are resistant to diseases. Their disadvantage is a short fruiting period, only 10-12 years. The best columnar pears are 1-year-old, they quickly take root and develop successfully in the future. Planting is standard; fertilizers are required. Having compacted the tree trunk circle and watered it, mulch with peat, compost, and humus.
Features of planting in different regions
Pears are planted using the standard method in all regions. Only the planting time and pre-winter care differ.
How to properly plant a pear in the fall in the Moscow region
In climate zones with average winter temperatures, pears are often moved in the spring. The seedlings take root well over the summer. In the fall, planting a pear in the Moscow region will be successful if it is carried out from September 10 to October 5. During warm days before constant cold weather, seedlings take root. Before frost, the tree trunk circle is insulated with humus, compost, peat or rotted straw, which will not harbor small rodents.
How to plant a pear correctly in the fall in the Urals
In harsh conditions, where there is severe frost in winter, pear trees are planted before September 20-25, guided by the long-term weather forecast. The ground around the trunk is mulched with peat, as well as a thick layer of humus and compost. The trunk is insulated with paper or burlap in late autumn. In winter, they are covered with snow, which is removed when it warms up in April.
These are traces of freezing during winter storage of planting material.
Care after planting and preparation for winter
30-40 days before the onset of frost after planting in the fall, the young pear takes root and prepares for winter, slowing down all processes in the wood.
Watering and fertilizing
If after planting there is no rain in the fall, the seedling is watered once a week with 10-15 liters of water. Make sure that a funnel does not form near the stem, level the ground with a rake and apply a layer of mulch. No fertilizing is carried out in the fall. After frost, dry compost or humus is poured onto the tree trunk circle. The nutrients will gradually pass into the soil and provide the roots with the necessary substances in the spring.
Protection from diseases and pests
During the short remaining period of the warm season after planting in the fall, the tree is not threatened by any pathogens or pests. If there is no damage to the stem, the seedling is healthy. After planting, you can whitewash the entire tree. Whitewashing in the fall will protect the bark from the contrast of temperature changes and the influence of bright sunlight in late winter and early spring.
Preparing for winter
When the warmth decreases in autumn, watering is stopped.The trunk of a young tree is protected from mice and hares with fine-mesh special nets, wrapped in newspapers, rough wrapping paper, burlap, old synthetic stockings or matting for insulation. Apply a thicker layer of mulch, up to 20-25 cm, around the perimeter of the tree trunk circle, adding foliage, spruce branches, and sawdust to the lower tier of compost or humus. As soon as snow falls, the seedling is covered with it, forming a protective snowdrift. During spring warming, the crust of the snowdrift is broken and the snow is discarded so that the young pear does not become covered with melt water.
Gardening tips
It is worth listening to the observations of experienced gardeners about growing pears and the peculiarities of planting in the fall.
The planting hole is prepared several months before moving the tree due to the fact that freshly dug soil, with any trampling and compaction, still produces sediment. Together with the soil, the seedling also sinks deeper; the root collar ends up underground, where putrefactive processes can begin after prolonged rains in the fall and waterlogging, and the tree will die.
A groove 10 cm deep and the same width, made around the hole after planting, will make it possible to water the tree. If you simply pour water onto the area around the tree trunk, a funnel will form over time. If there is a sudden cold snap in the fall, summer residents may forget to fill the circle with soil. In spring, melt water accumulates in the depression, which can also lead to the death of the tree.
Before wintering, carefully bend the branches of the tree to the trunk and tie them with soft twine so that strong gusts of wind do not break them. Sealants made of burlap are placed under the twine; the bark will not be injured.
Planting in the fall and growing pears will be successful if you follow a simple rule: buy only zoned varieties.The second similar condition is called the choice of varieties. For midland areas, planting late-ripening pears is not recommended. The fruits will not have time to ripen. Early and middle varieties ripen successfully.
Conclusion
Planting a pear in the fall, done at the recommended time, will create good starting conditions for the development of the tree. When planting, be sure to enrich the substrate with fertilizers, which will stimulate the growth of the seedling in the spring. Having mulched the tree trunk and carefully covered the young plant for the winter, gardeners in the spring begin further steps to care for the fruit tree.
