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Planting work among gardeners is associated with spring. However, some crops are best planted in the fall. And not only for the purpose of unloading the “hot” season, but also taking into account the physiological characteristics of the plant. In the Volga region and Central Our Country, the preferred time for planting apple seedlings and other pome crops is autumn. There is more time and better survival. The high winter hardiness of the apple tree (in comparison with stone fruits) allows the seedling to endure the cold perfectly. But is this true for Siberia? What are the features of planting apple seedlings in Siberia in autumn, and what are the risks?
Features of the Siberian climate
Of course, the main distinguishing feature of Siberia is the harsh climate with low winter temperatures and early frosts. But there is another feature – waterlogged soils, snowy winters and close occurrence of groundwater. Of course, the last factor does not allow, when laying a garden in Siberia, to be guided by the classical technique of planting an apple tree. The first factor for a winter-hardy apple tree, with the right selection of varieties, is not limiting.
All the pros and cons
To begin with, let’s figure out whether it is possible, in general, to plant an apple tree in Siberia in the fall. Inexperienced gardeners in this regard may find spring more attractive. Planting in the spring has its drawbacks. Summer in Siberia is short, spring comes late and often protracted with recurrent cold weather, the soil freezes deeply and thaws for a long time. As a result, early planting of a seedling becomes impossible, and in a short growing season, taking into account the long rooting period, the apple tree simply does not have time to prepare for the coming winter and will die. If even spring in Siberia is not ideal for planting, then why not consider autumn?
Many summer residents of Siberia, taught by bitter experience, will unanimously argue that planting an apple tree in the fall is doomed to failure. Yes, but only if this landing is carried out incorrectly and on time.
An apple tree planted in late autumn simply does not have time to take root and give new roots. Even if it safely winters (suddenly the winter will be less severe and with less winds), in the spring such a tree without a powerful root system will quickly lose moisture without having time to gain strength. And if the planting material bought at the bazaar is also of low or dubious quality, then nothing good can be expected from such a planting. Hence the negative assessment of the autumn planting period, which allegedly leads to large attacks of apple tree seedlings.
Gardeners confident in their experience boldly plant an apple tree in the fall and get beautiful fruit-bearing trees. What’s the secret? Let’s note the main benefits of properly planting an apple tree in the fall:
- seedlings have time to take root, bark and buds ripen and prepared trees go into winter;
- the root system that has managed to develop provides the crown with water and increases frost resistance;
- after winter, the grown-up seedlings wake up early and begin the growing season earlier than those that will be planted in the spring;
- due to the full growing season, young apple trees will safely prepare for the upcoming winter and are more likely to endure it, while seedlings of spring planting in an unfavorable summer run the risk of not surviving their first winter.
As a result, we get enough arguments for the autumn planting of an apple tree. It just needs to be done correctly. How to avoid typical summer residents mistakes and grow a strong and healthy apple tree?
What to consider
Planting fruit trees in Siberia has its own difficulties. The harsh and unpredictable climate requires conscious action from gardeners. There are no true and effective ways. We must act according to the prevailing weather conditions. But there are rules that must be followed so that landing in the fall is successful.
Here are the golden rules for the autumn planting of an apple tree in Siberia:
- optimal planting dates from late August to mid-September;
- seedlings must have a closed root system or a good earthen ball;
- you can not sniff the leaves before planting, they are important for transpiration and photosynthesis, let the seedling complete the growing season and discard the foliage;
- do not buy seedlings with peeled leaves, as numerous wounds in the place where the petioles grow greatly weaken the plant (conscientious gardeners sell seedlings with petioles, but uncut leaves, otherwise the seedlings cannot be transported over long distances);
- before planting, you need to cut the crown almost in half for two reasons: damaged roots (and this is inevitable) simply will not be able to “pull out” the seedling in the spring, in addition, when growing fruit trees in Siberia, bush or dwarf crown formation is practiced, and such a procedure will already lay a good foundation for the correct formation of the stem;
- buy only those varieties that are allowed in the region, and always on a local rootstock (Siberian apple tree, purple ranetka and dwarf forms of Siberian apple tree);
- choose a windless cloudy day for planting, while the place for the seedling can be prepared in advance.
These are perhaps the most important recommendations adapted for Siberia. But their observance is not enough for a good survival of the apple tree. You also need to know the intricacies of planting, taking into account the climate and soil.
Description of landing technique
Most of the well-known gardening textbooks are written in relation to the Central Strip and the South of Our Country. This is not surprising, because industrial fruit-bearing orchards and nurseries are concentrated in these regions. But is it possible to apply such experience to the Siberian region? Probably not. The climate is different and the soil is different.
We will not dwell on the classic technique of planting an apple tree with deep holes for irrigation, but consider the advice of experienced and well-known Siberian gardeners. Their practice will give more valuable recommendations on how to properly plant an apple tree in the fall in the harsh climate of Siberia.
The main difference between the Siberian technique of planting an apple tree and the classical one is planting in small mounds, and not in holes. Why are holes bad? Melt water accumulates in them, which leads to damping off, and return frosts threaten to break the root neck. But making high ridges is also overkill. This will lead to freezing of the young root system of the apple tree. The mounds should be about 35 cm. This will be enough to drain excess moisture. There should be a small hole in the root neck area to provide free access to fresh air; it cannot be covered with earth. At the same time, the landing pit is being prepared, but not so deep.
The next important point of planting is fertilization. Giving specific recommendations in numbers is absurd. It all depends on the type of soil, the level of fertility, structure. The introduction of excessive doses of mineral fertilizers can ruin the root system of the apple tree, and the addition of organic matter will lead to a decrease in growth activity. Why move deep and wide when all the nutrients are nearby?
It is difficult for summer residents to make a chemical analysis of the soil for an accurate calculation of fertilizer rates. If the soil on the site is sufficiently structured and nutritious for other crops, when planting an apple tree, you can do without fertilizers at all. Only mulch from compost or rotted humus will remain mandatory. Such a blanket will serve as a young seedling and nutrition, and additional protection from the cold.
Is drainage necessary? In Siberia, groundwater passes very close, and the drainage layer does not stop them, there will be flooding anyway. Consequently, drainage will not be able to save from flooding with melt water. At the same time, it will interfere with the normal growth of the roots.
During soil preparation, a stake is driven in at the planting site, to which a young seedling will be tied.
The soil in the root zone is moistened and gradually compacted, monitoring the level of the root collar and preventing its deepening. Gradually, a dense gentle mound is formed around the trunk. The mulching layer should not come into contact with the trunk.
If the weather is sunny, then you need to take care of the shading of the apple tree for the period of survival in order to prevent wilting.
When laying a garden, you need to consider the scheme of planting an apple tree. For vigorous seedlings, the 3×4 scheme is followed, and for an apple tree on a dwarf rootstock, 2×3 is enough.
In Siberia, you can also use the classic apple tree planting scheme if your site is on a hill. At the same time, in winter, with the onset of the first frost, the trunk circle must be covered with a dense layer of mulch so that there is no funnel for water.
Apple varieties for Siberia
Many years of breeding work not only made it possible to grow apple trees in Siberia, but also gave gardeners large-fruited varieties that are not inferior to European ones. A competent approach to the choice of variety is the key to a good harvest.
On the choice of apple varieties for Siberia, you can watch the following useful video:
All Siberian varieties of apple trees can be divided into 3 groups: ranetki (record winter hardiness, small fruits suitable for processing), semi-cultivated (golden mean in terms of winter hardiness and taste of fruits), large-fruited (more valuable, but also more capricious).
Representatives of the 1st group – Ranetka Ermolaeva, Gornoaltaiskoe and Dolgo. From the 2nd group, Bayana, Souvenir of Altai, Altai Crimson, Cherished are popular. Varieties of the 3rd group are not grown everywhere. Melba, Northern Sinap, Welsey, White filling have proven themselves well. They have a different ripening period, the fruits are more often used for fresh consumption and for storage.
In Siberia, apple trees can be planted both in autumn and in spring. Which period will be better depends on the weather conditions of the year and the chosen landing technique.