What can be planted under an apple tree in a trunk circle in the country

If the summer cottage is small, then the gardener needs to competently manage the free space. One of the most popular trees on the plots is the apple tree. But not all gardeners know what can be planted under an apple tree.

Rules for planting plants in the trunk circle

It is better to decorate the garden bed in the trunk circle immediately after planting the tree. It is necessary to remove weeds and add top dressing, check the soil for acidity. If it is increased, then dolomite flour is introduced into the ground.

Apple tree is the most popular fruit tree

It is added at 0.5 kg per 1 sq. m.

When organizing a bed in a near-trunk circle, the following must be considered:

• Before planting, it is worth choosing a seedling whose roots will not go deep into the soil.
• The quality of the soil, the amount of light and moisture must correspond to the apple variety.
• If you plan to plant other edible crops under the apple tree, then you do not need to treat the tree with poisonous chemicals and fertilizers, since the roots of other crops, for example, berry bushes, will absorb these substances.
• The beds are recommended to be made 80-90 cm wide.
• Plants should be planted 15-20 cm from the tree. If the tree has a graft, then the shrubs are located at a distance of 1 m.
• Shrubs should be planted so that they do not grow densely and their foliage does not interfere with the collection of apples.
• The lower branches of the tree should be cut off so that they do not inhibit the growth of shrubs.

What gives the crown of a tree

The tree gives the plants a diffused shade that protects from the sun's rays. At the same time, near-stem shrubs receive the required amount of lighting. The roots of the apple tree are widely spaced. This means that they will not damage the root system of other plants.

Planting under the crown provides the following benefits:

• Plants receive moderate amounts of sunlight and shade.
• More moisture and other nutrients are supplied to the roots.
• Decorates the site, because flower beds can be grown near the trunk.

The trunk circle can be used for garden decoration

The trunk circle provides additional opportunities for summer cottage creativity. It can be a great place to decorate your plot.

What trees can be planted nearby

When choosing what can be planted next to an apple tree, it is necessary to take into account the compatibility of plants and the characteristics of the soil. So, experienced gardeners allow the joint planting of an apple tree and some vegetable or berry crops, as well as shrubs and trees:

Next to the apple tree you can place:

• Pears and plums. The main rule is not to plant them too close to the crown, since the foliage of the apple tree can block the sunlight from other crops.
• Cherry and apple tree. The apple tree will grow well, but the cherry will not give a good harvest.
• Sweet cherry has a beneficial effect on the growth and ripening of apple fruits.

These trees are not only good neighbors, but also successful predecessors according to the rules of crop rotation. In their place, it is permissible to grow apple seedlings.

Flowerbed in the trunk circle

A flower garden is one of the colorful ways to decorate the trunk area and decorate the garden. A flower bed around an apple tree can consist of several of the same type or many different varieties.

What can be planted under an apple tree of flowers:

• Bells and forget-me-nots will bloom under the dense crown. Ferns that are shade tolerant can also be planted.
• If the crown is sparse and transmits light, then nasturtium, daisies or pansies are planted under the tree.
• Perennial primroses such as snowdrops, muscari, crocuses, daffodils or early tulip varieties will do.

Different types of flowers can be planted in the flowerbed

Wild flowers

The trunk circle can also be decorated with meadow flowers. For such plants, no special seedlings are needed. They can be dug up along the road or in the meadow.

The following wild flowers grow well under the tree:

• Tansy is a perennial blooming with lush lace inflorescences. It is able to protect the tree from aphids and other insects. The self-seeding method is used for reproduction.
• White clover makes the lawn soft and tidy. Attracts bees, which will pollinate the flowers of the apple tree.
• White mustard actively bears honey and at the same time performs the functions of green manure.
• The host is a suitable companion for the apple tree. This plant decorates not only the trunk circle, but also the garden plot.

You can also plant celandine, but it will quickly lose its external qualities if it is important to decorate the trunk. This weed will protect the roots of the tree and fruits from the attacks of harmful insects.

Garden crops under the apple tree

Some types of vegetables and berries will grow well under the tree. Growing greens is also permissible. Some crops from such planting improve their useful qualities.

You can plant next to the apple tree:

• Cucumbers. They are placed a meter from the trunk if the crown is well formed, and the branches in the lower part are at a good distance from the ground. It is advisable to add manure to the soil. Apple tree foliage will protect cucumbers from water and associated fungal diseases. The cucumber whiskers cling to the trunk and the cucumbers ripen faster.
• Zucchini and pumpkins can be planted when the apple tree trunk is in the sun for a long time.
• Tomatoes. The smell of tomatoes scares away the stalk and other pests from the apple tree trunk, but you should be careful with unprotected soil.

Tulips under the apple tree look very impressive

Gardeners advise to plant any kind of flowers or shrubs in the trunk circle for the first year. However, it is necessary to assess their condition during the cultivation process. Acceptable crops can only be calculated empirically.

What berries can be planted under an apple tree

In the trunk circle, in addition to vegetables, you can also plant various types of berries. It is better to give preference to shade-loving varieties. They should be planted at a considerable distance from the trunk so that the root systems do not get confused.

Types of berries that can be planted:

• Strawberries and strawberries. It is better to select wild varieties that will give a network of mustaches under the trunk of the apple tree. To protect the berries from rot, garlic should be planted between their bushes. Instead of strawberries, gardeners sometimes plant Indian dusheney. It looks like a real berry, but its fruits are yellow and should not be eaten.
• Currant. The shrub can have both a spreading and a neat crown. The height reaches 150 cm. It grows well in the shady zone. The bush should be planted at a distance of 2 m from the trunk. This will allow the roots to grow properly, and the light to penetrate more freely. It is important to cut the crown of the currant in a timely manner and make the necessary dressing. Fertilizers are selected classic, with a wide spectrum of action. Currants can be either red or black, but they are not recommended to be placed next to each other.
• Juniper is an evergreen coniferous plant. Grows up to 3 m in height. The bush needs a lot of sunlight.When properly planted, juniper can provide protection against common fruit tree diseases.
• Raspberry. Raspberry roots are close to the ground, so the berry needs a lot of water and other nutrients. Raspberries planted under an apple tree will protect the tree from various problems, for example, from attacks of beetles. The shrub is best placed on the south side of the trunk. Raspberries need to be watered frequently as they consume a lot of moisture

Various berry crops can be planted in the trunk circle

What cannot be grown under an apple tree

Although the apple tree is tolerant of neighbors, it is better not to place some crops next to it. It is not recommended to plant crops such as:

• Mint, sage, parsley. Spicy crops can damage tree roots. This point is important for those who do not know if it is possible to plant mint under an apple tree.
• Bird cherry and mountain ash - these shrubs can transmit their dangerous insects to the apple tree, such as glass and mountain ash moth. They destroy the foliage and fruits of the tree.
• Some types of vegetables - cabbage, potatoes, carrots.

The list of harmful crops is not that long. An apple tree needs a lot of nutrients for growth, which it will consume from the soil. For this reason, you should not grow capricious and demanding types of garden crops next to this tree.

Dacha is the main place for summer vacations. For many gardeners, it is important not only what the land gives them, but also the appearance of the garden as a whole. For this, many organize homemade greenhouses and flower beds under the trunks of fruit trees. The apple tree accepts a variety of cultures and types of flowers. Making a tree trunk circle will help not only feed the tree, but also support the plants planted inside.