How to plant an apple tree in summer: a step-by-step guide

The apple tree is one of the most common fruit trees, cultivated by many gardeners from Krasnodar to Omsk. A competent choice of seedlings and knowledge of how to plant an apple tree correctly provide trees with active growth, and gardeners - a bountiful harvest.

Recommended planting dates for apple trees

The time for planting an apple tree is determined by the characteristics of a particular region and weather conditions. In the southern regions of Russia, autumn planting is preferred. Depending on weather conditions, work in the fall is carried out at the end of September or the first half of October. It is important that at least 3 weeks remain before the onset of frost.

Correct planting of an apple tree is a guarantee of a healthy and fruitful tree

In the central zone, the Moscow region and in Siberia, trees are planted in the spring, before the beginning of the growing season. This period falls at the end of April and the first days of May.

In spring and summer, planting of apple trees with a closed root system is allowed. Such trees adapt faster to a new place.

Planting fruit trees according to the lunar calendar

The lunar calendar can help you choose the best time to plant apple trees. When carrying out garden work, many gardeners rely on it.

Planting trees in the growing phase of the moon promotes their rapid growth

Experts recommend planting trees during the growing phase of the moon. A waning moon is considered not favorable for planting, but suitable for handling and maintenance activities. It is forbidden to plant trees on a new moon or full moon.

The most fertile signs are Pisces and Scorpio. Therefore, apple trees should be planted when the growing moon is in the constellation Pisces or Scorpio.

For 2020, favorable dates for planting in spring fall on:

• March 1, 4-5, 12-13;
• April 1, 18-19, 23-24, 28-29;
• 11-12, 15-17, 21, 26 May.

Favorable days for planting in summer:

• June 7-8, 11-13, 17-18, 22;
• 4-5, 9-10, 14-15, July 19;
• August 1, 5-7, 11, 16.

Favorable days for planting in autumn:

• 1-3, 7-8, 12-13, 29-30 September;
• October 4-5, 9-10;
• November 1, 6.

Planting apple trees

Apple trees in the garden are planted in groups and single trees. When planting one seedling, it is necessary to take into account the distance to the nearest neighbors and household buildings. For low-growing varieties with a small crown, it is enough that there are no other objects at a distance of 4 meters around the tree.

To grow a healthy orchard, it is necessary to think over a planting scheme in advance, taking into account tree varieties. Experts recommend placing seedlings in rows in a checkerboard pattern.

• For tall trees with a large crown, a distance of 6-7 meters between seedlings is observed.
• For low-growing varieties with a small crown, 4 meters is a sufficient distance.
• For columnar varieties, make a step of 1-1.5 meters.

The distance between the apple trees when disembarking is from 4 to 6 meters

Good and bad neighbors

The apple tree is an unpretentious culture.It gets along easily with most fruit crops. Despite this, gardeners identify a number of the most successful and unsuccessful neighbors for the apple tree.

Saplings feel better if their neighbors are:

• plum;
• quince;
• cherry;
• pear.

Apple trees should not be grown next to:

• nuts;
• sea ​​buckthorn;
• viburnum;
• elderberry;
• spruce;
• thuja;
• pine.

Neighborhood with undesirable crops leads to a slowdown in apple growth and a deterioration in fruiting indicators.

Selection of seedlings

In order for the apple orchard to please with good growth and a bountiful harvest, it is necessary to choose the right seedlings.

• The choice of the variety. Preference should be given to varieties adapted to the conditions of the region where they will grow.
• Fruiting period. They are chosen depending on the purpose of the tree. If the harvest is planned to be consumed fresh, then varieties that begin to bear fruit are planted in mid-July. For storage and harvesting, medium and late ripening periods are better suited.
• Sapling age. For planting, seedlings aged 1 to 2 years are more suitable, in which 2-3 lateral shoots depart. It is not recommended to use a seedling grown from seed.
• Sapling size. The height of the tree must be up to 1.5 meters. Barrel thickness 1-2 centimeters.
• The quality of the seedling. When choosing, pay attention to the bark and root. The bark should show no signs of damage. The root system is fresh, without rotting areas, creases or other visible damage. The inoculation site is clearly visible and is 10-15 centimeters above the root collar.

Apple seedlings should be bought from a specialized nursery

Sapling root pruning

After choosing a seedling, it is necessary to properly prepare it for planting. At this stage, root pruning is of prime importance. It is necessary if the root system looks unpresentable, dented, rotten or dried roots are present.

1. The root system must be carefully examined.
2. Dry, damaged or rotten roots are removed with a sharp knife or scissors.
3. If the roots are too long, they can be trimmed so that the length does not exceed 40 centimeters.

The roots are cut at right angles. Sections are treated with ash. The treatment of the root system before planting with a manganese solution has shown high efficiency.

Preparing a pit for planting an apple tree

Before planting an apple tree, you need to prepare a planting site. The pit is dug several months before the landing date. If it is planned to place several trees, then planting holes for apple trees are dug at a distance of 4-6 meters from each other.

• The place for the pit is chosen where the groundwater lies at a distance of at least 2 meters from the surface.
• The pit is up to 70 centimeters deep. Width 1-1.2 meters. The size of the pit may vary depending on the size of the root system.
• The upper part of the soil is laid out to the right of the pit, the lower part of the soil is to the left of the pit. Experts recommend placing plastic wrap under the ground.
• The bottom of the pit is carefully loosened with a crowbar.
• 2-3 buckets of humus, or ready-made compost, are added to the part of the land on the left. The mixture is thoroughly mixed, covered with foil and left to settle. If the soil is clay, then sand is added to the mixture together with humus.

Planting a seedling

In order for an apple tree seedling to take root, you need to know how to plant it correctly. To do this, follow a step-by-step guide during work.

In order for the tree to grow straight, it must be securely fixed near a peg driven into the bottom of the pit.

• The pit should be prepared well in advance. For autumn planting - in six months, for spring planting in 2-3 months (optimally in autumn).
• Immediately before planting, the soil near the pit should be opened, the bottom should be loosened to a depth of 30 centimeters.
• The pit is filled 1/2 with the top nutrient layer of soil, mixed with 1 glass of superphosphate, 4 tablespoons of potassium sulfate, 10 tablespoons of wood ash and 3 buckets of rotted manure. The mixture is thoroughly mixed. A small hill is formed in the center.
• A stake is driven into the hole to fix the seedling so that it rises 40-50 centimeters above the ground.
• The apple tree is carefully lowered into the hole. The root system is evenly straightened. The neck should be 5 centimeters above ground level. If it is buried, then the tree is raised, nutritious soil is poured under the roots.
• The remaining soil is evenly poured into the pit, gently tamping from the edge to the center. The seedling is tied to a hammered peg.
• The tree is watered abundantly with warm water. The trunk circle is mulched. The layer thickness should not exceed 5 centimeters.

Errors when planting an apple tree

In order for the apple tree to take root well in a new place, it is necessary to follow all the rules for carrying out work and avoid common mistakes.

• Seedling selection. You should not choose too large a seedling. Such apple trees take root worse and get sick more often. It is recommended to give preference to trees 1-2 years old.
• Excessive feeding. It is not recommended to lay a large amount of mineral fertilizers during planting. Gardeners recommend applying organic fertilizers when preparing the pit a few months before planting.
• Pit preparation. The place for the seedling is chosen and prepared in advance. For autumn planting - in spring or summer, for spring planting - in autumn.
• Root system. Before planting, you should inspect the root system of the tree. Problem areas are trimmed to a healthy location. When the roots dry out, soak in warm water for a day.
• Planting depth. After planting, the root collar of the seedling should be at least 5 centimeters above ground level. Deeper tree penetration leads to slow growth and later fruiting.

Seedlings planted in spring need regular watering

How to care for a seedling after planting

In the first year after planting, trees need special care.

• Watering. Seedlings planted in the spring are watered as needed. In autumn, water-charging irrigation is carried out 2 weeks before the onset of frost.
• Weeding and loosening the soil. Weeds take nutrients away from the tree. Therefore, the trunk circle is regularly weeded, and the soil is loosened.
• Shelter for the winter. In regions where severe frosts are observed, young seedlings are covered with agrofibre or burlap.
• Crown formation. Trees are pruned every year. The main shoots are shortened by 1/3, diseased, dry and growing branches are cut out completely.

In the first two years after planting, with proper soil preparation, apple trees do not need additional nutrition. Fertilization is done for 3 years in the spring. To do this, use mineral compounds, organic matter or home dressings.

How to increase the survival rate of seedlings after planting

Saplings take root well and go into active growth if the timing was right when planting and all the rules were followed. There are instructions that can speed up the process of adapting a tree to a new location.

Adaptation in a new place can be accelerated by a talker from manure with clay for roots

A few tips from experienced people:

• Root pruning. Before planting a tree, you must carefully examine the root system. Dried, dented, rotten or broken roots are removed. Places of cuts are treated with ash.
• Soaking roots. Before planting, gardeners recommend soaking the root system in a talker. It is prepared from a mixture of manure with clay or soil.The chatterbox is made in consistency similar to sour cream. It should envelop the roots without sticking to clumps. Soaking time ranges from 2-3 hours to a day. Also, root growth stimulants are added to the chatterbox.
• Watering. After landing, a small embankment is created along the near-trunk circle. 3-4 buckets of warm water are poured into the groove under the root. Abundant watering stimulates the development of the root system and improves the survival rate of the tree.
• Mulching. After watering, the trunk circle is mulched. A layer of mulch allows you to retain moisture and maintain the required soil temperature. Sawdust, straw, needles are used as mulch. The trunk circle is covered with a layer of 3-5 centimeters, leaving the area near the tree trunk intact.
• Trimming the crown of a seedling allows you to direct the forces of the tree to the development of the root system. This is especially necessary for those plants whose root system is weakened. Pruning is carried out up to 7 buds if there is one main shoot. If side branches are present, they are shortened by 1/3.

Properly planted apple trees do not require serious maintenance. It is enough to prune shoots, remove damaged branches, and apply fertilizers. With timely care, the first apples will appear on the trees already for 4-5 years.