Content
The question of how to properly plant gooseberries in the fall is sooner or later asked by gardeners who grow this tasty and healthy berry on their plot, who learn about the possibility of planting the plant after the summer period. And it’s not surprising, because this method has its advantages.
When is it better to plant gooseberries: in spring or autumn?
Planting gooseberries in the fall has a number of advantages.
Firstly, in the autumn the range of planting material in specialized stores and nurseries expands significantly. Many different varieties appear on display cases, so you can choose the one most suitable for the conditions of the climatic zone. The choice of seedlings with an open root system is also increasing, which makes it possible to carefully inspect the plant before purchasing. The likelihood of purchasing low-quality planting material is significantly reduced.
Secondly, the survival rate of gooseberries when planted as seedlings in the fall is much higher than in the spring, since the shrub does not need to expend energy at this time on the growth and development of shoots.Since all the forces of the gooseberry in the fall are aimed at strengthening in the soil and developing the root system, its survival rates reach approximately 85 - 92%. Low air temperature also helps in plant adaptation after transplantation.
The third advantage is significant time savings. After planting in the fall, gooseberry bushes require minimal care: watering will mainly be carried out with the help of autumn rains, cold temperatures will slow down the process of moisture evaporation. All this contributes to better rooting of seedlings in the soil.
Among the disadvantages of planting gooseberries in autumn, one can highlight the high probability of freezing of the root system when the temperature drops sharply, as well as the increased danger of attack by rodents who do not miss the opportunity to taste the young bark in the fall.
How to plant gooseberries in the fall
The process of planting gooseberries in the fall has many subtleties and nuances that simply need to be taken into account. So, for a plant to grow and develop well, it needs to be provided with a comfortable place and proper care from the first days of life. First, you need to decide on the planting dates, and they will be different for each region.
Recommended timing
Depending on the weather conditions of the region, autumn planting of gooseberries is carried out in early September or early October. The main thing is that at least half a month remains until the first frosts arrive: during this time the plant will have time to get stronger and take root.
In the Moscow region and central Russia, planting work, as a rule, is carried out from the last days of September until mid-October. In Siberia and the Urals, frosts come earlier, so planting gooseberries should begin in the first half of September so that the seedlings have time to get stronger.
It is recommended to plant gooseberries in cloudy, windless weather. It is best to purchase seedlings approximately 10 - 14 days before the planned planting date.
Site selection and soil preparation
The place for planting gooseberries should have a flat surface, be well lit and protected from gusty winds. Shrubs should not be placed in swampy lowlands or areas of groundwater.
It is also undesirable to place gooseberries in areas where the soil has been depleted by raspberries or currants. These crops are threatened by common pests and pathogens that can remain in the soil for quite a long period of time.
It is permissible to locate gooseberry bushes next to fences or fruit trees, but in this case it must be taken into account that over time its shoots grow greatly. That is why, when choosing a location, it is important to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 m from the fence, and at least 2 m from other trees.
The soil for planting gooseberries in the fall should be nutritious. A soil mixture containing:
- topsoil (2 parts);
- humus (1 part);
- potassium sulfur (50 g);
- double phosphate (50 g).
All components must be thoroughly mixed.The resulting nutrient mixture is poured into the planting holes in advance, about a couple of weeks before planting, so that it has time to settle slightly. If the soil in the selected area is too heavy and loamy, it would be a good idea to add river sand (1 part) to the soil mixture.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Gooseberry seedlings with an open root system, no more than two years old, are ideal for planting in the fall. Older seedlings take root less well because their adaptation process takes longer. When choosing, the first thing you should pay attention to is the shoots and root system. The length of 2 - 3 strong shoots should be at least 30 cm, and the roots - at least 20 cm.
If the root system of the seedlings is dry, you need to place them in warm water for a day. After this, the main leaf mass must be removed from the young plants, as well as damaged and dry roots that have not recovered after soaking in water.
Next, you should prepare a clay mixture in which the gooseberry seedling will wait for transplantation to a permanent place. To prepare it you will need the following components:
- 1 kg of clay;
- 1 kg of black soil;
- 2 packages of “Kornevin”;
- 3 liters of water.
How to plant gooseberries in the fall
Planting gooseberries in several rows is best done according to the standard scheme, according to which the distance between bushes in a row should be approximately 1.5 m, and between rows - 2.5 m.
Algorithm for planting gooseberry seedlings in the fall:
- A few weeks before planting, dig up the area to the depth of a spade bayonet, at the same time getting rid of weeds and breaking up all hard lumps of earth.
- Dig a planting hole. Its size should exceed the size of the plant's root system. On average, the optimal diameter is 50 cm, depth is approximately 60 cm.
- Pour 2/3 of the pre-prepared nutrient soil mixture into the planting hole and distribute evenly.
- From the remaining 1/3 of the nutrient soil mixture, form a small mound in the hole. Allow the soil to settle for about two weeks.
- After two weeks, you can begin the planting process itself. The seedling must be placed in a vertical position in a planting hole on a mound, carefully straightening the roots.
- Pour water and cover with soil located along the edges of the planting hole, so that the neck of the seedling is buried approximately 5 cm in the soil.
- Lightly trample the soil around the plant, water thoroughly again and mulch. Humus can be used as mulch; this will prevent excessive evaporation of moisture.
Shrub care after planting
Gooseberries planted in a permanent place in the fall require less care after planting: they can be left alone until the next spring season. Autumn rains will take care of moistening the soil, and a layer of mulch and snow will help the young plant survive the frosts calmly. If the winter promises to be little snow, it is recommended to build additional shelter for the seedlings from specialized thermal insulation materials.
Conclusion
To properly plant gooseberries in the fall, it is important to adhere to a number of simple rules. The plant variety should be selected based on the climatic conditions of the region in which it is planned to plant. The timing of planting work will also depend on the weather. When placed in nutritious soil, seedlings covered with a layer of mulch do not require additional care until the first thaw.
