Correct planting of apple trees in autumn

Planting an apple tree in the fall is a labor-intensive undertaking that requires specific knowledge and careful preparation. When working, it's important to consider the characteristics of the chosen tree and the local climate. If done correctly, you'll soon be able to reap a bountiful harvest and enjoy the wonderful flavors of nature's bounty.

General information

Planting apple tree seedlings in the fall is a rather difficult undertaking that requires taking certain nuances into account. Neglecting them can lead to numerous problems and the loss of next year's harvest.

Advantages and disadvantages of autumn planting

In order to understand when It is better to plant apple trees in the spring Whether it's planting in the fall or the spring, it's important to explore all the advantages and disadvantages of the process for each season. Most inexperienced gardeners prefer to plant young trees in the spring, immediately after the snow melts.

However, experts recommend planting apple trees in the fall. Their opinion is based on the following advantages:

• A wide variety of seedlings availableDuring the autumn months, seedling growers offer gardeners a wide variety of varieties. This allows them to choose the best option that's ideal for a given area's climate.
• High survival rateIn autumn, all biological processes in young trees slow down. This simplifies the transplanting process and helps the seedling adapt to the new conditions more quickly. With the first warmth, apple trees will quickly take root and begin to grow well.
• Availability of free timeAutumn is a less active time for gardeners than spring. During this time of year, you can approach the tree planting process more carefully and avoid missing any nuances.
• Minimal maintenance requiredApple trees planted in the fall don't require daily care. Watering is all that's required, and it's only necessary during prolonged periods of dry weather.
• Early awakeningIf apple trees were planted in the fall, they will begin to grow rapidly with the onset of the first warm weather of spring (temperatures above 4 degrees above zero).

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The disadvantages include:

• Danger from rodentsDuring the winter, small garden rodents suffer from a lack of food. Because of this, they may begin to eat the bark of planted trees, which will lead to illness or the death of the apple tree. Protect yourself from pests This can be done by installing a fencing net.
• Difficulties in determining the timing of planting trees in the groundThe optimal time to plant apple trees in the fall is quite difficult to predict. If you make a mistake and plant too late, the tree won't have time to take root and could be killed by the first frost. If you plant too early, the apple tree may begin growing due to a thaw. The emerging buds won't have time to open, which will lead to their death in the frost.

Important conditions

When planting apple trees in the fall, it's important to follow certain guidelines. These will help the young tree quickly establish roots and survive the winter safely.

Key points:

• For fall planting, choose seedlings no more than two years old. In most cases, they are stronger than three-year-olds and will adapt better to their new location.
• A purchased seedling should be planted in the ground immediately. If you wait a few days, the roots may dry out due to lack of moisture.
• Young trees can only be planted in a pre-dug hole.
• After planting apple trees, they should be watered thoroughly. This will not only moisten the soil well but also make it firmer.
• Seedlings don't tolerate high concentrations of fertilizer well. This can damage or kill their roots.
• It is recommended to plant trees only in places where groundwater lies at a depth of more than 2.5 m.
• For normal growth, a young tree needs at least four meters of free space on each side.
• It is prohibited to plant apple trees in places where water pipes run.
• Optimal temperature conditions for planting are between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius.

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Deadlines for different regions

According to the 2018 lunar calendar, apple trees should be planted in October (2nd-5th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 20th-22nd) or November (16th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd). This will help the seedlings take root better and avoid negative environmental impacts.

The timing of planting young trees is influenced not only by the phase of the moon, but also by local climatic conditions. Landing times in different regions:

• Moscow Region. Work here runs from late September until the end of October. Frosts in this region of Russia begin as early as November, so the slightest delay could cost the future harvest.
• Leningrad Oblast. Frosts arrive even earlier in this area, so trees should be planted before the end of September. Due to the local soil conditions, young apple trees should be well fertilized and watered.
• Central climate zone. For this region, the optimal time is from mid-September to late October. However, if favorable weather conditions are unfavorable, it is recommended to postpone planting until the first warm weather of spring.
• Siberia and the Urals. The climate is characterized by severe frosts, making it quite difficult for young apple trees to survive them. Experts recommend playing it safe and planting the trees in the fall.
• Ukraine. Autumn apple tree planting in Ukraine begins in mid-September and ends in early November. The first frosts typically occur in December, but in some cases they can arrive a little earlier.
• Belarus. Winters in this country are quite mild, so the best time to plant apple trees is in the fall. The work should be completed by the 20th of September.

Procedure

To avoid tree death, it's important to carefully consider the steps for planting an apple tree in the fall. Only the right steps will allow you to avoid the worst fears and reap a bountiful harvest in a few years.

Buying seedlings

Purchasing seedlings is considered a difficult task, as it requires relevant experience. Young apple trees should be purchased from specialized nurseries that monitor their health and growing conditions.

The most important step for a gardener is to select the optimal variety that will thrive in a particular climate. In addition, The following rules should be taken into account:

• It's recommended to purchase only mature seedlings whose root systems have not yet developed. The roots should be free of any damage or mold.
• The optimal height for young trees is between 1.2 and 2 meters. Taller apple trees have already begun to grow and will not be able to survive the cold season.
• You should not buy seedlings that are too low, as they are sick or have not received necessary feedingSuch trees are weak and will not survive the winter.
• As soon as a seedling is purchased, it should be immediately placed in moist soil or water. Otherwise, the roots will dry out and kill the tree.
• The apple tree stems must be completely woody, without green leaves or shoots.
• The bark of the seedling should be dark brown in color and free of any dents or scratches.
• A young apple tree can have four branches. The grafting site must be at least 5 cm from the roots.

Choosing a location

When planting apple tree seedlings, it's important to properly prepare the site. It's best to use a site where fruit trees have already grown. Pay special attention to the planting hole. If it's too deep, the tree's roots will suffer from a lack of oxygen.

Stages of preparing a landing site:

1. The first step is to remove the turf.
2. Then the top layer of soil is removed and placed in a separate pile.
3. After this, deepen the planting site by approximately another 25 cm. This should result in a hole approximately one meter wide and 50 cm deep.
4. An inverted layer of turf is placed on the bottom. This is done so that the grass decomposes and acts as a natural fertilizer for the apple tree.
5. In a large container, mix all the soil components (rotted manure, wood ash, compost).
6. The resulting mixture is placed in a hole and thoroughly mixed with the soil.
7. Since this procedure is performed in the spring, then wooden markers are placed at the planting site. These will make it easy to find the prepared hole in the fall.

Planting apple trees in open ground

Before planting a bare-root apple tree, soak it in water for 24 hours. This will help the tree obtain the necessary moisture, which will be used in the first few hours after planting. After this, perform the following actions:

1. A hole is dug in a place prepared in the spring.
2. Then it is thoroughly watered with tap water.
3. Once the moisture has been absorbed, an apple tree sapling is placed in the hole. Its roots are inspected first, and any damaged parts are removed.
4. The roots of a young tree are covered with soil.
5. The soil mixture is compacted and a wooden peg is inserted into it.
6. The apple tree is tied to it. This must be done with extreme care so as not to damage the bark.
7. The seedling is watered generously with water (at least 20 liters).
8. The area around the plant is mulched with humus.

Trees with a closed root system

These apple trees grow in special containers, so they require special care. The planting process for them is slightly different from that for bare-root trees.

Procedure:

1. In the prepared place, a hole of standard dimensions is dug.
2. Its bottom is filled with a soil mixture consisting of wood ash, soil from the upper layers and various fertilizers.
3. The hole is completely buried and left for 24 hours.
4. The next day, dig a hole the size of which corresponds to the size of the container where the seedling is located.
5. The soil in the container is watered, and then the pot is removed.
6. The apple tree, complete with root ball, is lowered into the hole so that the soil levels in the hole and the pot are approximately equal.
7. A wooden stake is inserted into the fresh mixture, which will be used to tie up the tree.
8. Fill the remaining space with soil mixture, and then water the plant.
9. The soil is carefully compacted and leveled.

Possible errors

Most novice gardeners make simple mistakes that prevent a young tree from taking root and growing properly. To avoid these mistakes, it's important to heed the advice of professionals and the recommendations of more experienced colleagues.

Common mistakes:

• Buying seedlings a few weeks before planting will ensure the trees begin to emerge from dormancy before the first frosts arrive.
• Planting in a recently dug area will cause the root collar to be too deep, resulting in slow growth.
• Using fresh manure. If this mistake is made, the gas released during the decomposition of the mixture will negatively affect the seedling and slow its development.
• Adding large amounts of fertilizer will create an aggressive environment that will destroy beneficial microflora.
• Using three-year-old seedlings. Such trees are already considered old, so it will be quite difficult for them to survive replanting.

If you follow all the prescribed rules and take into account the advice of experienced people, then you can rest assured that your trees will survive and expect a quick harvest.