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Planting a peach in the fall is not as simple a procedure as it might seem at first glance. In addition to the fact that this tree is rather capricious in itself, the proximity of winter is also an additional deterrent. However, subject to certain rules, such a procedure can be carried out quite successfully, and this does not require any extra efforts.
When to Plant Peach: Spring or Fall
Most gardeners agree that the best time to plant fruit trees (and peach in particular) is spring. Indeed, a tree planted in spring will have time to take root over the summer and autumn, adapt well to a new place and go into hibernation without any problems. However, during this time, the seedling will spend energy not pasture shoots and green mass, not developing roots sufficiently.
The positive aspect of the autumn planting is that neither diseases nor pests bother the seedling in the winter. During this time, its root system manages to get stronger enough to quickly enter the vegetative period in the spring and provide the plant with rapid growth.
Of course, there is a danger that a peach planted in the fall simply will not have time to take root before the onset of cold weather and die. Therefore, autumn planting can be recommended only in those regions where autumn is warm and long, and winter is short and mild. If frosts begin already in October, there is no alternative to spring peach planting.
Peach planting dates in autumn
It is rather difficult to determine the exact dates for the autumn planting of peaches, since they are different for each region. For the procedure to be successful, 2 conditions must be met:
- The plant must be at rest.
- Before the onset of frost should be at least 6 weeks.
In the southern regions, the best time for this is the first half of September, in the Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory – until mid-October.
How to plant a peach in autumn
Before planting a peach, you need to evaluate all the possible consequences of such a step. A peach will not grow always and not everywhere, but will yield a crop – and even more so. It should also be taken into account that a peach tree lives for 20–25 years, and it is highly undesirable to replant it.
Choosing the right place
A peach needs sun and warmth, which is why it is usually planted on the south side of the site. It is good if there is a fence or a building from the north that will protect it from the cold wind. At the same time, the distance to it should be at least 2,5–5 m, otherwise interference will be created for the growth of the crown and roots.
The peach will survive hot weather and lack of rain without problems, but excessive moisture can be a real disaster for him. When planting, avoid lowlands, wetlands, any places with a high level of groundwater. The best place would be the southern or southeastern slope of the hill.
When planting a peach, you need to consider what has grown in this place before. Do not plant it after nightshade crops:
- tomatoes;
- potatoes;
- eggplant.
The place is also not suitable for planting if strawberries, watermelons or melons used to grow on it. In addition, you should not plant a peach after an old peach tree. Even if the clearing is carried out qualitatively, it is better to postpone the planting procedure for several years and wait until the soil is cleared. To speed up the process, you can sow the plot with oats or rye.
Soil preparation
Peach grows well on loose loamy and sandy loamy soils, and chernozem is also suitable for its cultivation. But on saline soils, it will not grow. Before planting, it is desirable to clear the site of weeds and dig, thereby saturating the soil with oxygen. Planting holes are dug based on the size of the seedling. Their diameter can be from 0,5 to 1 m, and the depth – up to 0,8 m.
The earth taken out of the pit must be set aside. It will need to be mixed with humus (about 2-3 buckets) and add 1 cup of wood ash. This soil mixture should be covered with an even cone into the planting hole at about 2/3 of the depth. The prepared pit should stand for at least two weeks, and preferably 1-2 months.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
High-quality planting material is half the success. Therefore, do not save on seedlings. It is better to take them from reliable suppliers or specialized nurseries. It is better to choose a variety that is zoned, intended for cultivation in a particular area.
Before buying a seedling, be sure to inspect it well. For autumn planting, two-year-old seedlings are preferable. Their height by this time should be at least 1,2 m, thickness – at least 1,5 cm. The seedling should have a developed crown of 3-4 branches, as well as fully formed buds. The root system must be well developed, if there is only one root, problems with survival are possible.
In appearance, the seedling should look absolutely healthy. It should not have mechanical damage, wilted foliage or root rot. If you bend the bark on the trunk, there should be a green layer of cambium under it.
You need to purchase seedlings immediately before planting. When transporting, the roots must be wrapped in wet burlap and wrapped in polyethylene. The day before planting, the seedling must be completely put in water, into which a growth stimulator can be added.
How to plant a peach in the fall
The landing procedure itself is simple if all the preparatory measures are done in advance. It is produced as follows:
- Stepping back from the center of the pit, you need to drive one or two supports into the bottom, to which a planting and planting, preferably a two-year-old planted tree, will be subsequently tied up. The garter will protect it from wind and snow damage in the first two years of life. You need to install the support before planting, otherwise there is a high risk of damaging the roots.
- To try on a seedling, placing it on top of a mound poured in a pit. The root neck should be 3-4 cm above ground level. If the seedling is located higher or lower, you need to sprinkle the earth or remove it a little.
- Water the soil in the planting hole. This will require 5-10 liters of water, depending on the type of soil and the size of the hole. The ground under the roots of the future seedling should be completely moistened.
- Set the seedling strictly vertically, straighten the roots and gradually fill the planting hole with the prepared soil mixture, controlling the level of deepening of the root collar. Pour water over, lightly tamp.
- Form an earthen roller around the seedling 50–60 cm in circumference and 10–15 cm high. It will play the role of a barrier and prevent water from spreading after watering.
- Mulch the trunk circle with peat, humus, needles or crumbs from tree bark. For a mild winter, a layer of mulch of 5 cm will be enough, but if severe frosts are expected, then it can be doubled.
Aftercare of seedlings
If the seedling is well developed, then immediately after planting it is cut off, thus starting to form the future crown. For the winter, the seedling must be covered, the peach is a heat-loving tree. The easiest way to use for this purpose is burlap or other material that allows air to pass through. The tree needs to be wrapped several times, and then rolled down with earth from below.
You can use thick cardboard by rolling it around the seedling and stuffing hay, straw or wood shavings inside.
A video about planting a peach in the fall can be viewed at the link below.
How to transplant a peach in autumn
It is undesirable to transplant a peach. Therefore, it is so important to choose the right landing site. However, circumstances may develop in such a way that a transplant to a new place becomes necessary.
When to transplant a peach: in spring or autumn
You can transplant a peach to another place no older than 7 years. This is the maximum age, it is better that the transplanted tree is no older than 5 years. The transplant procedure can only be done in late autumn, when the tree is completely ready for winter and is in deep hibernation.
Peach transplant in autumn to a new place
Transplanting a peach in the fall is a rather long and laborious business. You need to try to keep the earth on the roots as much as possible, so dig around the tree around with a moat about one and a half meters in diameter and a depth of 1 m. All this earthen ball, together with the tree, needs to be moved to a new place, where a ready-made landing pit of the same size should already be waiting for it.
At the bottom of the new pit, you need to pour a layer of soddy earth mixed with ash. You can add a little superphosphate. After that, the pit is abundantly watered with water. After planting, all voids must be filled with earth, and the root zone should be watered abundantly.
Peach care after transplant
After transplantation, it will be necessary to restore the balance of the root system and crown. When transplanting, part of the roots will be irretrievably lost, another part will not take root in a new place. The surviving roots simply will not be able to feed the entire above-ground part of the tree, so part of it must be cut off. Watering should be carried out systematically until the cold weather, making sure that the soil is moist.
Conclusion
Peach planting in autumn is widely practiced in the southern regions of our country. If climatic conditions allow, it is worth doing the procedure at this particular time. In other regions, it is more expedient to plant peaches in the spring. The main thing to remember is that both of these methods will lead to the desired result, if you follow all the necessary rules and deadlines.