Contents
Planting an apple tree in the fall in the Moscow region includes several stages: the selection of seedlings, soil preparation, fertilization and further care.
Selection of seedlings
Seedlings for further cultivation of apple trees are selected taking into account the period of ripening and the taste of the fruit. Depending on the size of the trees, the planting pattern is selected.
By maturity
To choose the right seedling, you first need to decide on the variety of apple trees. According to the ripening period, several types of varieties are distinguished:
- summer;
- autumn;
- winter.
There are intermediate varieties of apple trees that ripen in early summer or autumn (early summer, early autumn) or later (late winter).
Summer varieties produce a harvest in July, but are not stored for a long time. Autumn varieties can be harvested in late summer until September. They are recommended to be used within 60 days.
Winter varieties are removed in September or later, after which they are left to ripen for a month. The shelf life of winter varieties is from six months or more.
By tree size
When choosing a variety, other factors are taken into account:
- external and taste properties of fruits;
- disease resistance;
- tree size.
Tall apple trees give a big harvest, but they are more difficult to care for: form a crown, process from diseases and pests. Such trees are planted in a row or in a checkerboard pattern with an interval of 5 m.
Medium-sized apple trees are planted according to the 3×3 m scheme. Dwarf varieties can be planted every 0,5 m. A columnar apple tree is planted every 1,2 m.
The yield of such varieties is lower compared to tall apple trees, but due to a more compact planting, a good harvest is harvested from them.
In containers, seedlings are easier to store and transport, they are easier to transplant and adapt to new conditions. In healthy seedlings, the root system completely fills the container.
The best varieties for Moscow region
Below is a list of which varieties of apple trees are recommended to be grown in the Moscow region:
- White filling is an early variety ripening at the end of August. The fruits are sour in taste and green-yellow in color, turning white as they ripen.
- Antonovka gold is a productive variety of apples with a sweet and sour taste. Maturation occurs at the end of the summer period.
- Autumn joy is a frost-resistant variety that can produce crops for 20 years. Juicy sweet and sour fruits ripen in autumn.
- Golden Delicious is a variety of apple trees that is frost-resistant and produces a crop in late autumn. The fruits are stored until spring.
- Moscow winter is a high-yielding variety of late ripening, characterized by large fruits. You can store them until April.
Terms of work
The best time to plant apple trees is autumn. In September or early October, in the Moscow region, the soil temperature is about 8 ° C, which ensures good survival of seedlings.
When to plant apple trees depends on leaf fall. After it starts, they start landing work. During this period, the growth of shoots stops, but the dormant period has not yet begun.
Planting should be completed two to three weeks before the cold snap. If the planting dates are observed, the seedlings will have time to strengthen and prepare for winter.
Selecting a landing site
Apple trees are planted in an elevated and open area. Cold air and moisture accumulate in the lowlands, which negatively affects the development of the apple tree.
This tree does not tolerate the proximity of groundwater, the action of which leads to decay of the root system. If the waters lie high enough (less than 1,5 m), then an additional drainage layer is equipped.
It is desirable that apple trees do not grow at the planting site for the last 5 years. Perennial grasses or vegetable crops are considered good predecessors for it. A year before planting an apple tree, you can sow the chosen place with green manure (lupine, mustard, rapeseed).
Planting an apple tree in the fall in the Moscow region is not carried out next to fences, buildings or other tall trees. Seedlings need protection from the wind. For this purpose, rowan or sea buckthorn can be planted on the north side of the site.
Summer varieties do not tolerate cold snaps. Therefore, it is imperative to provide them with protection from wind loads. The place for summer varieties of apples should be well lit by the sun.
Autumn varieties also require good lighting. To ensure high yields, it is necessary to protect plantings from drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations. Autumn varieties do not require frequent feeding.
Winter varieties are characterized by high frost resistance. During the growing season they need a lot of heat. Such apple trees need to be fed more often than other varieties.
Soil Preparation
Before planting an apple tree, you need to prepare the soil. Previous crops and weeds are removed from its surface. The soil is dug up to the depth of the fertile layer. This promotes the accumulation of moisture and nutrients.
Clay soil is first dug to a depth of 0,5 m. To improve the structure of the soil, fertilizers are applied in equal proportions: humus, river sand, sawdust, compost. This combination of components provides air exchange in the soil.
Sandy soil is dug up to a depth of 0,5 m. Clay, manure, compost, peat, humus, lime, and clay are added to each square meter. The preparation procedure is the same as when working with clay soils. The only difference is the use of more peat and compost.
Regardless of the type of soil, the following fertilizers are used:
- superphosphate (70 g);
- potassium top dressing without chlorine (50 g).
Seedlings preparation
How to prepare seedlings for planting depends on their quality. It is best to choose biennial plants with a height of 60 cm or more. It is desirable that the apple tree has three side shoots, the distance between which is from 0,5 m.
Annual shoots have no lateral branches. To prepare an apple tree of this age, it is pruned, leaving about 70 cm in height and 5-6 buds.
The root system of the seedling should have 2-3 branches up to 40 cm long. Too long roots should be cut. To strengthen the roots, they are briefly placed in a porridge-like mixture of clay, mullein and water.
When the roots dry out, they are immersed in water for several days. Immediately before planting, the root system of the seedling is placed in a growth stimulator. You can use the drug “Kornerost”, two tablets of which are diluted in 10 liters of water.
Landing order
A month before planting an apple tree, a hole measuring 1×1 m in length and width should be prepared. The depth of the pit is 0,8 m. A stake made of aspen or hazel no more than 5 cm thick is driven into it. The support should rise 40 cm above the ground.
Fertilizers are applied to the soil excavated from the planting hole, depending on the type of soil. Due to the resulting mixture, a small hill is formed around the support.
The following order indicates how to properly plant an apple tree:
- On the resulting hill, you need to install a seedling and straighten its root system.
- The root neck of the seedling should be 5 cm above the soil surface. You can determine the root collar by the place where the color of the bark changes from greenish to brown. When filling the pit, soil is used from the top layer of soil, from which a layer 15 cm thick is made.
- The seedling must be shaken when falling asleep with soil. This will avoid voids near the root system of the apple tree.
- Then the soil on the roots is carefully trampled down so as not to damage the roots.
- Loose soil is poured on top.
- The seedling must be vertical. It is tied to a peg at the base and at the top.
- The apple tree is watered so that the moisture reaches a depth of 50 cm. 3 buckets of water are required for each seedling.
Care after landing
Preparation of apple trees for winter in the Moscow region is carried out by watering seedlings, treating pests and diseases. Summer varieties may require additional shelter.
Watering seedlings
For watering a seedling in the ground, a round hole is formed. Its diameter should correspond to the diameter of the pit. To keep a high level of moisture, the soil is mulched with humus, compost or dry earth. The mulch layer is 5-8 cm.
Autumn watering depends on the intensity of precipitation. If there are prolonged rains in the fall, then the need for additional moisture is eliminated. When the rains are rare and drizzling, the planted apple tree should be well watered for the winter.
Caring for apple trees in the fall in the form of watering increases the strength of the branches and bark to frost. For each seedling, 3 liters of water are used. Watering is done in the formed hole.
Treatment for diseases and pests
Processing of apple trees in autumn from diseases and pests is carried out in dry weather in the absence of wind. After the first frosts and at zero temperatures, the procedure is not performed.
To protect against fungal diseases and codling moth, preparations containing copper are treated (copper and iron vitriol, Oksihom, Horus, Fundazol, Fitosporin).
On the basis of ferrous sulfate, a solution is prepared, including 500 g of the drug and 10 liters of water. Copper sulfate is dissolved in an amount of 100 g per liter of water.
So that the plantings are not damaged by hares and rodents, a chain-link mesh is placed around them. The trunk can be protected with spruce branches, roofing felt, fiberglass.
Shelter for the winter
To prepare apple trees for winter, the soil is loosened first. Then a layer of peat, sawdust or manure is applied around the trunk. The height of the mound is 40 cm. Additionally, the trunk can be wrapped with several layers of paper, cloth or spunbond.
Covering an apple tree with roofing material and other materials that do not allow air and moisture to pass through can lead to the death of a seedling. In the Moscow region, zoned varieties are planted that can withstand winter frosts.
Conclusion
Depending on the variety, apples are harvested in summer and autumn. Proper planting ensures the further development of seedlings. In the Moscow region, work begins in September. Be sure to prepare the soil and the planting pit, improve the composition of the soil, and apply fertilizers. Apple trees planted in autumn need watering, protection from diseases and pests, as well as shelter for the winter.
