Autumn care of peach trees, preparing for winter

The peach, a fruit tree native to southern regions, is very sensitive to cold temperate climates, such as those found in the Moscow region. If proper cultivation practices are not followed, it will become diseased and produce little fruit. Therefore, growing a healthy peach tree that will produce a substantial harvest requires a great deal of effort and special care.

Peculiarities of peach tree care in autumn

Preparing for winter includes soil cultivation, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, and frost protection. All of these tasks should be carried out at a specific time in the fall. The plant's survival and fruiting depend on how well and promptly these steps are completed.

The entire peach tree care algorithm can be broken down into several basic steps that must be completed in a specific order:

1. Digging up the soil around the trunk will facilitate moisture penetration. Furthermore, small insect pests brought to the surface with the soil will be destroyed when frost sets in. Avoid loosening the soil to avoid driving the pests back in.
2. Apply mineral fertilizers into specially made depressions 25 cm deep and about 30 cm wide. Fertilizers are added in layers: phosphorus fertilizers – a layer of soil – potassium salts – a layer of soil.
3. Watering. A lot of water isn't required; regular, moderate amounts are sufficient. The last watering should be done at the end of October, before the first frost.
4. Pruning. From early autumn to mid-October, remove all dry, unwanted shoots.
5. Whitewashing. Applying slaked lime to the trunk and bases of skeletal branches protects the plant from UV damage.
6. Disinfection of the base of the trunk and branches with insecticides will eliminate insects that destroy the peach tree and the main diseases.

The main insulation materials used by gardeners are spruce branches, straw, thick paper and burlap.

Do you need fertilizers?

Fertilizing is especially important when preparing peach trees for winter. Proper application will significantly increase your tree's chances of surviving the winter. Fertilizing typically begins with mineral fertilizers. This is done as follows: Place phosphorus fertilizer in a hole 25 cm deep and 30 cm wide from the tree trunk, covering the bottom. Then add a layer of potassium fertilizer, topped with a 3-4 cm layer of soil. Separate each layer of fertilizer with a layer of soil.

The next stage of fertilizing is the application of nitrogen fertilizer. The required amount of fertilizer is determined based on the plant's age:

• young seedlings up to 2 years old require 10 kg of compost or manure, 80 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium salt;
• 3-4 year old trees require 15 kg of manure, 60 g of ammonium nitrate, 120 g of superphosphate and 50 g of potassium salt;
• 5-6 year old trees are fertilized with 30 kg of manure, 180 g of superphosphate, 70 g of potassium salt, the width of the ditch around the trunk for fertilizer should be up to 3 m;
• 7-year-old trees require 30 kg of manure, 120 g of ammonium nitrate, 250 g of superphosphate and 90 g of potassium salt;
• For 9-10 year old trees and older, the fertilizer rate is taken at double the rate compared to the previous point.

Many experienced gardeners who have been growing peach trees for years use another type of feeding—foliar feeding. This involves spraying the trunks and branches with a special urea solution or a mixture of zinc sulfate and potassium permanganate diluted in 10 liters of water.

It's crucial to prepare the soil in the fall, meaning loosening the soil. This will ensure good air circulation and eliminate some pests and weeds. The main purpose of loosening the soil is to improve moisture absorption. The following tools can be used to properly loosen the soil: a flat cultivator, a hoe, a rake, and a hand cultivator.

Some gardeners use a different method of soil preparation, replacing loosening. Mulching prevents a crust from forming on the top layer of soil, allowing moisture to penetrate freely through the top layer. However, it's better to combine these two methods.

Protection from the cold

Peach is a rather delicate fruit tree and does not tolerate sudden temperature changes or heavy rainfall. Therefore, the crown, trunk, and basal collar with roots are all protected from the cold during the winter. The intensity of covering depends on the climate of the growing location.

Typically, they cover the seedling with burlap, wrapping it around the seedling. In regions with a particularly harsh climate for fruit plants, you can use this method of covering:

• the branches are tied with twine;
• they tie it to the trunk, and build a hut from sticks, fastened at the top with screws;
• the entire structure is wrapped in mineral wool and covered with polyethylene to protect it from getting wet;
• On the south side, you can additionally cover it with slate to avoid sunburn.

When the sun becomes active, the entire structure is dismantled to prevent rotting.

During winter, peach trees are at risk not only of freezing but also of ultraviolet radiation burn. This can damage not only the bark but the entire tree. Insufficient watering can be the cause. Statistics show that young seedlings are particularly susceptible to burns.

Whitewash with slaked lime. Additionally, you can spray the peach tree branches with lime milk.

Pruning peach seedlings

Regularly pruning excess, dead, and diseased branches is essential to extend the tree's lifespan and increase yield. The benefits of proper, periodic pruning include:

• improving air circulation;
• neat appearance of the crown;
• simplifies harvesting;
• promotes the growth of young shoots;
• prolongs the "fertile age".

Prune after the fruit has completely cleared from the tree, typically in early to mid-autumn, to allow the plant's wounds to heal before winter begins. Choose a dry, clear day for this, as too much moisture promotes the development of bacteria and infections.

There are several main types of pruning:

1. Sanitary. Removal of dry, diseased branches.
2. Formative pruning. This type of pruning is performed in the fall only in southern regions. In other regions, it is done in the spring.
3. Rejuvenating. Removes old branches. Used exclusively on older trees.
4. Regulatory pruning. This type of pruning involves removing a small section of the fruiting branch, which promotes increased fruiting.
5. Restorative. This involves removing all branches from the tree, which increases fruit production.

Afterward, be sure to treat the cut area with garden pitch. Cutting the branches is not recommended; it's better to cut them in one piece with a special tool. It should be sharp enough and treated with a disinfectant. Suitable tools include a garden saw, a knife, and pruning shears.

Young seedlings are pruned in their first year. The top portion is cut off, leaving a height of only 50 cm.
Trees aged 8-10 years need to be “rejuvenated” by carrying out certain procedures:

1. Unnecessary “bad” branches are cut off.
2. They make sure that the peach tree does not grow higher than 3 meters.
3. The main branches of the peach tree are brought to the age of 3-5 years by pruning.
4. If the forecast calls for a harsh winter with heavy rainfall, small, weak branches are cut off.

The whole point of the preparatory measures carried out before wintering is to preserve fruit buds.

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Pest and disease control

Another important aspect of preparing a peach tree for winter is its health, which means eradicating existing diseases and preventing new ones. The main diseases affecting peach trees include:

• leaf curl;
• powdery mildew;
• moniliosis;
• Clusterosporiosis.

Fungicides are the best and most popular treatment for these diseases. To avoid them, don't neglect prevention.

Clasterosporium leaf spot is a fungal disease. To prevent it, it's necessary to prune diseased shoots, as these are the source of infection and can spread further. The cuts of such shoots must be treated with a special mixture. It consists of a 4-8% lime solution and a 1-2% copper sulfate solution. The cuts are then immediately coated with a layer of oil-based paint of your choice.

Powdery mildew – the prevention strategy for this disease is the same as for clasterosporium leaf spot. In addition to the basic preventative measures, it is necessary to remove fallen fruit and leaves from under the trees.

For moniliosis, as in the two previous cases, the damaged shoots are cut off, the cut is treated, and fallen fruits and leaves are removed. To prevent fruit rot, all fruits and leaves on the ground must be collected and destroyed. Any remaining peaches that haven't fallen should also be removed from the tree.

Types of peach processing in autumn:

1. Spraying. Apply a 3% Bordeaux mixture no earlier than 10-20% of the leaves remain on the tree. This will prevent leaf curl next year.
2. Mulching. It's important to remember to dig up all the tree trunks and water them generously. Then, cover them with sawdust to protect the root system from freezing in the winter and overheating in the spring.

Whitewashing has a positive effect on peach trees. It's made with a solution of slaked lime. If quicklime is used, it must first be slaked in a separate container.

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Common mistakes in peach tree care in autumn

It's essential to monitor the peach tree's health and growth at all times and promptly remove unnecessary branches. Otherwise, the peach tree will become overgrown and stop bearing fruit. When caring for the plant, there are several key, common mistakes gardeners make:

1. Premature pruning. If you start pruning a tree when it still has a lot of foliage, it will lose a lot of the sap that nourishes the branches and leaves.
2. Untreated cut. After pruning, the cut can easily become a bridging point for bacterial growth, so treating it is essential for healthy tree growth.
3. If dry and infected branches are not pruned, then with the arrival of warmer weather, viruses and bacteria will begin to damage the tree more actively than before.
4. The soil dug up around the trunk must not be loosened, otherwise all the dug up pests will hide deep in the ground again.

Having examined in detail all the features of peach tree care, it can be noted that for the plant to successfully overwinter, it is necessary to carry out a number of procedures:

• digging and preparing the soil;
• fertilizer (root and foliar);
• pre-winter watering;
• mulching;
• pruning;
• treatment against diseases and pests;
• whitewash;
• insulation.

Each of these steps must be completed at the right time. Otherwise, the plant may be damaged in the spring and stop bearing fruit. By following these simple rules and being aware of common mistakes, you'll have a healthy peach tree. You can watch the video to learn how to care for the peach tree in the Moscow region.