Contents
The apple tree is the most common fruit tree in the Moscow region. Growing it does not cause difficulties even for beginner gardeners. However, the productivity of a tree depends on several main factors, and one of them is planting, taking into account the requirements of the culture and climatic conditions of the region. Therefore, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself in advance with how to plant apple trees in the spring in the suburbs in order to avoid serious mistakes that can subsequently cause a decrease in immunity and its death.
Spring planting allows the tree to get stronger before winter.
Climate features in the Moscow region
The climate of this region is temperate continental. And this means that the summer in the Moscow region is warm and humid, and the winter, which lasts for five months, is frosty and not always snowy. This makes it possible to grow apple trees of different ripening periods. But for this it is necessary to give preference to frost-resistant types of crops in order to avoid freezing of the young growth, on which the bulk of the crop is formed.
It is also worth considering that soil fertility in the Moscow region is not the same everywhere. The best environment for gardening is the south of the region, where the soil is quite nutritious and light. And on the other parts, before planting an apple tree in the spring in the Moscow region, it is necessary to prepare the ground in advance for the successful development of the seedling. Thanks to this, the tree will be able to produce a generous, plentiful harvest in the future.
When is it better to plant apple trees in the spring in the suburbs
Planting apple seedlings in spring in central Our Country is possible when the snow completely melts and the soil warms up sufficiently to a depth of 15 cm. Usually in the Moscow region this happens in late April, early May. Therefore, it is recommended to plant apple trees in the spring in the middle lane during these periods. But it is also worth considering the air temperature, it should not be lower than +5 ° C at any time of the day.
If planted too early, fragile seedlings may suffer from frost.
How to plant an apple tree in the spring in the suburbs
Planting a fruit tree in the spring in the Moscow region involves strict adherence to all recommendations, which will ensure the rapid adaptation of the seedling in a new place and its full development in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to first study all the nuances of this procedure.
Seedlings preparation
One- and two-year-old apple trees are suitable for spring planting in the Moscow region. They must have a healthy appearance without signs of diseases and pests, as well as a well-developed root system. When choosing seedlings for planting in the spring, it is necessary to carefully study the characteristics of the variety and purchase planting material in nurseries, specialized stores, which guarantees compliance with the characteristics of the selected variety.
In healthy apple trees, the cut of the roots is light and moist, and if it is brown, then it is better to refuse to purchase such planting material. The height of a one-year seedling should be within 1-1,2 m, and a two-year one – 1,5-1,8 m. about the excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers. Both options negatively affect the further development of the apple tree.
Before planting in spring, it is recommended to remove broken and damaged parts of the roots. Trim to healthy tissue. Also, a day before planting an apple tree in the spring in the Moscow region, it is necessary to put the seedling in water to nourish the roots. This will activate growth processes and accelerate rooting.
Site Selection
For the successful cultivation of apple trees in the Moscow region, it is necessary to choose a sunny open place, protected from drafts. At the same time, the distance to the fence and other tall crops should be at least 3 m, and buildings – 5 m.
The successful cultivation of this fruit tree in the Moscow region also depends on the level of groundwater in the area. It must be at least 2,5 m. Otherwise, after several years of full growth, the seedling will die, as water will wash away its root system.
It is recommended to plant an apple tree on a hill
Pit preparation
It is necessary to prepare a pit for planting an apple tree in the spring in the Moscow region at least two weeks before the procedure. At the same time, it should be understood that it is not just a hole for the roots, but a source of nutrition for a seedling at the initial stage of growth and must contain all the necessary components.
A pit for planting an apple tree in spring should be made with a diameter of 60-70 cm and a depth of 80 cm. It must be filled with a completely fertile soil mixture consisting of turf, sand, humus, peat, leafy soil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1: 1. You also need to additionally add superphosphate 50 g and potassium sulfide 40 g, and then thoroughly mix the fertilizer with the ground.
Landing scheme
Apple trees should be planted in the spring in the Moscow region according to the standard scheme. You can carry out the procedure at any time of the day. When planting several trees, maintain a distance of 4 m. How to plant apple trees in the spring in the Moscow region is shown in the video:
Algorithm of actions:
- In the prepared landing hole in the center, make a small elevation.
- Next to install a wooden support.
- Put a seedling on a mound, straighten the roots.
- Water generously at the rate of two buckets per plant.
- Sprinkle the roots with earth.
- Carefully fill in all voids;
- Compact the soil at the base of the apple tree.
- Tie it with soft twine to the support.
The root neck of the seedling should not be buried when planting
Care instructions
It is important to know not only the optimal time for planting apple trees in the spring in the Moscow region, the features of the procedure, but also what kind of care the tree needs throughout the season. After all, their development depends on this, and, therefore, frost resistance. Since ignoring the rules of agricultural technology leads to a weakening of the apple tree, which can cause its death.
Watering
The first month after planting in the spring, it is necessary to constantly monitor the soil moisture, preventing the roots from drying out. Therefore, during dry periods, it is recommended to water the apple tree weekly at the rate of two buckets per seedling. After it adapts and begins to grow, it is recommended to reduce moisture to once every two weeks, but at the same time increase the volume of liquid twice. To do this, you can use settled water with a temperature of + 15-22 ° C.
Also, an apple tree in the conditions of the Moscow region needs water-charging irrigation in the fall. It must be done at the end of September. To do this, pour 5-6 buckets of water under the seedling.
Adult apple trees in the Moscow region require watering four times per season: during budding, after flowering, at the stage of fruit formation and before winter. Moisturizing is carried out with wetting the soil in the root circle to a depth of 20 cm. However, the procedure is recommended only in case of a long absence of rain, since this tree does not respond well to moisture stagnation in the soil.
Planting apple trees in the lowlands is unacceptable
Additional fertilizing
Feeding seedlings is recommended to start in the third year after planting. Until then, they will consume the nutrients added to the planting hole.
Fertilizers are recommended to be applied three times per season. The first top dressing is carried out in the spring at the beginning of the growing season. During this period, the actual use of urea at the rate of 30-150 g per plant, depending on its age. In the future, the apple tree needs to be fertilized after flowering. At this time, you can use nitroammophoska. The recommended consumption is 40-160 g per plant. The third dressing is recommended during the period of fruit formation. At this time, superphosphate 40-80 g and potassium sulfide 30-60 g can be used.
Mineral fertilizers can be applied by wet and dry methods. In the first case, it is recommended to prepare a nutrient solution based on it and pour it under the root. And in the second – to bring into the root circle, followed by incorporation into the soil.
Trimming
For the correct formation of the crown and increase the yield of the apple tree, it is necessary to carry out pruning in the future. The procedure should be done in the spring before the start of the growing season.
The first time to cut a seedling is necessary immediately upon planting. To do this, it is recommended to shorten the main conductor by 1/3 of the height, leaving several young buds from which skeletal branches will grow. It is important that the topmost of them is directed to the outside.
In the second and third years after planting, the strongest side shoots should be left. The angle of their departure from the trunk should be at least 45 degrees. They will form the skeleton of the tree. It is also recommended to remove all competing shoots, which will subsequently interfere with the development of the main ones. In the fourth year after planting, all shoots must be shortened by 1/3 of the length, leaving the upper outer bud.
For an apple tree, not only forming, but also sanitary pruning is recommended. It can be carried out throughout the warm period of the year. It involves the removal of all damaged, broken branches, as well as shoots thickening the crown.
Pruning should be done with a sharp disinfected tool.
Graft
This procedure in the conditions of the Moscow region is recommended to be carried out in the spring, when the kidneys have not yet woken up, and the sap flow in the tissues has already begun. In central Our Country, this occurs from mid-April to early May. It is also possible to graft an apple tree in the summer from the end of July to the middle of the first decade of August, and in the fall – in early September.
To do this, you can use different methods. Their choice depends on the desire of the gardener and his experience.
Recommended ways:
- for the crust;
- occlusion;
- kidney;
- into cleavage;
- into the side cut;
- peephole;
- bridge;
- wedge;
- copulation.
Preparation for winter
Young apple trees need shelter for the first 2-3 years after planting for the winter. To do this, wrap the trunk with spandbond in several layers. Also in the fall, it is recommended to lay a layer of humus 5-10 cm thick at the base of the tree.
Protection against diseases and pests
When grown in the Moscow region, an apple tree is prone to fungal diseases. Therefore, preventive treatment in early spring with fungicides, such as Bordeaux mixture, copper or iron sulphate, is recommended. You need to spray the trunk and crown of the apple tree. To do this, you can use a 3% solution of drugs at a temperature of +5 to +12 ° C.
Pests can also cause damage to a tree: green aphids, leafworms, codling moths, suckers, psyllids. Therefore, the apple tree should be regularly inspected and, if signs of damage appear, sprayed with insecticides: Bi 58; Fufanon, Actellik, Fitoverm.
You can clearly see how to plant an apple tree in the spring in the Moscow region in the video:
Conclusion
Knowing how to plant apple trees in the spring in the Moscow region correctly, you can count on the fact that the tree will quickly adapt and grow. And this will enable him to fully develop in the future, which is necessary for regular abundant fruiting. However, when choosing apple varieties, it is necessary to give preference to zoned species for a given region, which will greatly simplify care after planting and ensure trouble-free wintering.