Proper apricot planting in the fall requires selecting a winter-hardy variety. Planting begins 1.5 months before the onset of cold weather. The exact timeframe varies by region; for example, those living in temperate climates begin work no later than early September.
Choosing the right location will help grow a harvest. Apricots need full sun. The third rule is to plant them in a dry location. The less likely it is that moisture accumulates near the stone fruit's roots, the faster the tree will grow. The fourth rule is to avoid planting apricots in sandy or clayey soils. It is recommended to plant seedlings in loamy soil.
Selecting planting material
Before planting apricots in their plot, the gardener goes to the nursery. It contains young, properly cared-for seedlings. Despite the nursery workers' assurances, they inspect the seedlings:
- examine the root system - there should be no traces of torn roots;
- a small cut is made in the bark - there should be white wood underneath;
- there should be no foreign growths on the bark;
- There should be no traces of mechanical damage on the bark.
In the middle zone, early ripening varieties are chosen.
| Varieties for growing in different climatic zones | ||
| Middle zone | Siberia | Ural |
| "Varangian" | Sayansky | Khabarovsk |
| Alyosha | "Northern lights" | "Amur" |
| The Countess | Mountain Abakan | Seraphim |
| Black Velvet |
|
|
| "Aquarius" | ||
| Lel | ||
Residents of southern latitudes plant apricot trees on their plots without any restrictions in terms of choice.
Soil preparation
Proper soil composition will increase the chances of apricot seedlings germinating. Prepare the soil 21 days before planting. The minimum depth is 2 cm beyond the root system of the selected seedling. In temperate climates, this ranges from 70 to 80 cm. Once the hole is dug, fertilize it with a multi-layered "cake." Fertilize the apricots in the fall using the following recipe:
- 2 buckets of humus;
- 500 g potassium sulfate;
- 600 g superphosphate.
The components are mixed with soil. The prepared mixture is poured into the prepared hole. It is left in this state until planting. The soil will settle within 18 days.
Stages of planting
Having chosen the best days for planting, prepare the greenery. Place the purchased seedling in a container of water for 10 hours. A little trick will help increase the chances of a successful planting. Make a slurry. For this, you'll need one bucket of clay and half a bucket of mullein. Add water until the mixture resembles sour cream. Dip the rhizome in the prepared solution. The next step is to cover the rhizome with prepared soil. Plant the prepared seedlings 3-3.2 m apart. If everything is done correctly, the apricot pit will be small.
You may be interested in:Mulching and watering
The first watering is done before fruit set. In most climates, this occurs in April. The second watering occurs at the peak of growth (May). The third watering occurs 14 days before fruit ripening begins. This occurs in July. The next step is mulching. This is done 12 and 24 months after planting.
How to fertilize
Nitrogen fertilizers are a favorite food for stone fruits, which they tolerate well. 30 grams of nitrogen fertilizer are applied annually per square meter of planting. Fertilizers should be applied strictly near the tree trunk. Do not exceed the prescribed dosage. This will not affect growth rate, but the chances of losing the tree will increase exponentially. Botanists have developed step-by-step instructions for fertilizing:
- organic fertilizing is carried out once every 3 years;
- highly acidic soil is supplied with calcium - 500 g per 1 m2;
- As soon as the tree begins to bear fruit, ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium salt are added every 7 months.
The recommended ratio is 4:1:3.
Post-planting care
Strengthening the trunk and branches is a top priority for gardeners in temperate climates or Siberia. Regions with significant temperature differences between spring and winter often whitewash the trunk and branches. Add one teaspoon of copper sulfate to a standard store-bought mixture. The instructions recommend whitewashing when stable temperatures have been established. The second rule is that the rainy season should be over.
Pest control
Spruce branches can help reduce the attractiveness of green spaces to rodents. They can be tied to the trunk. When planting apricots in the fall, gardeners treat them with a combination of pesticides. Bordeaux mixture and copper sulfate are two effective treatments that will repel pests and diseases.
Thermal protection
As soon as a permanent snow cover has fallen, it's best to compact it around the tree trunk. As soon as a thaw sets in, even if temporary, the melted snow should be removed from the tree trunk immediately.
Carrying out autumn pruning
After planting apricot trees in the fall, gardeners remove dead and damaged branches. This procedure cannot be ignored, otherwise the seedlings will not survive the winter. Large branches should be removed, paying attention to the top of the tree. It should not be too dense. Pruning is carried out 12 months after planting.
Carrying out spring pruning
Apricots are pruned in early autumn. Or in spring for two reasons. The first is to harden the seedlings against the coming winter. The second is to accelerate growth. The latter reason is relevant for spring stimulating pruning. More fruit forms on apricot trees in spring if weak and large branches are promptly removed. As soon as a gardener notices that one or more branches are drying out, they are removed. Otherwise, the plant will waste some of its nutrients supporting the non-viable parts.
The second rule is that the crown shouldn't be excessively large. Apricot trees in the Moscow region and Siberia develop slowly if their crowns are too dense and heavy. The following recommendations will help minimize the likelihood of errors:
- identify shoots with generative buds - such shoots are no more than 1 year old;
- if the shoot has stopped growing, rejuvenating pruning is carried out;
- It is allowed to cut off shoots that are longer than 30 cm;
- to form the crown, up to 8 branches are left;
- a distance of 35 cm is maintained between the branches in the crown.
Rules for autumn replanting
Before planting apricots in the fall, a gardener should remember this rule. This stone fruit does not tolerate transplanting. If this procedure is necessary, the following instructions will help avoid mistakes:
- Only young apricot trees can be replanted;
- the manipulation is carried out in the fall before the onset of cold weather;
- It is forbidden to replant a grown apricot tree if it is more than 5 years old;
- It is advisable to preserve the root ball when replanting – it contains fertilizer;
- as soon as the seedling is removed from the ground, the root ball is temporarily covered with burlap;
- It is allowed to be removed only before lowering it into a new hole.
Once the manipulation is complete, the seedling is buried. The root collar should be 5-6 cm above ground level.
You may be interested in:Preparing for winter
Planting a garden correctly is half the battle. It needs to be protected from the cold. A "fur coat" will help minimize temperature shock. It's made of roofing felt and tar paper. The trunk is covered with the material and secured with wire. The second rule is whitewashing. This will not only protect against pests, but it's also applied immediately after fruiting has finished.
Recommendations from botanists
Most problems arise during the first two years of a tree's life. Gardeners ensure adequate moisture levels, avoid temperature shocks, and avoid pests. Until spring fieldwork begins, the tree's trunk area is maintained in perfect condition. Other recommendations include:
- every 4 weeks, loosen the soil to a depth of 8 cm;
- use only organic mulch;
- ensure that the plant does not produce an excessive number of fruits;
- Recommended ratio of leaves to fruits: 1:20.
Apricot trees are planted in a garden plot in the Moscow region in early to mid-September. In other climate zones, weather conditions are taken into account. The site should be carefully planned in advance. It should be free of standing water. If necessary, the apricot tree can be replanted. The only requirement is that it should not be more than five years old. Fruit trees are most susceptible to external influences during the first two years of their life. Before planting pits, novice gardeners should review the required procedures. This includes covering, watering, mulching, and fertilizing.
How to plant apricot in the fall: step-by-step instructions, planting and care, timing
How to prune apricot trees in the fall to ensure a good harvest: timing and features of fall pruning
A universal scheme for pruning apricots in autumn