Content
Landing apple trees in autumn in the Moscow region includes several stages: the selection of seedlings, soil preparation, fertilization and further care.
Selection of seedlings
Saplings for further cultivation of apple trees are selected taking into account the ripening period and taste of the fruit. A planting scheme is selected depending on the size of the trees.
By ripening period
To choose the right seedling, you first need to decide on the apple variety. 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 yield in July, but are not stored for a long time. Autumn varieties can be harvested in late summer until September. It is recommended to use them 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 also taken into account:
- external and taste properties of fruits;
- disease resistance;
- the size of the tree.
Tall apple trees give a large harvest, but it is more difficult to care for them: to form a crown, to process them against diseases and pests. Such trees are planted in a row or staggered with an interval of 5 m.
Medium-sized apple trees are planted according to the 3x3 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 in comparison with 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 the Moscow region
Below is a list of what varieties of apple trees are recommended to be grown in the conditions of the Moscow region:
- White filling is an early variety that ripens at the end of August. The fruit is distinguished by a sour taste and a green-yellow color that turns white as it ripens.
- Antonovka Zolotaya is a fruitful variety of apples with a sweet and sour taste. Ripening occurs at the end of the summer period.
- Autumn Joy is a frost-resistant variety capable of producing crops for 20 years. Juicy sweet and sour fruits ripen in autumn.
- Golden Delicious is a frost-resistant apple tree that yields in late autumn. The fruits are stored until spring.
- Moscow winter - high-yielding late ripening variety, distinguished 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 the seedlings.
When to plant apple trees depends on the fall of the leaves. After its start, they begin planting work. During this period, the growth of shoots is suspended, but the dormant period has not yet begun.
You need to complete planting work two to three weeks before the cold snap. If the planting dates are met, the seedlings will have time to strengthen and prepare for winter.
Choosing 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 are high enough (less than 1.5 m), then an additional drainage layer is built up.
It is desirable that no apple trees have grown at the planting site for the last 5 years. Perennial grasses or vegetables are considered good predecessors for it. A year before planting the apple tree, you can sow the selected place with siderates (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. The 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 well. Therefore, it is imperative to provide them with protection from wind load. 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 the plantings from drafts and sudden temperature jumps. Autumn varieties do not require frequent feeding.
Winter varieties are highly frost-resistant. During the growing season, they need a lot of heat. You need to feed such apple trees more often than other varieties.
Soil preparation
Before planting an apple tree, you need to prepare the soil. Cultures that have grown earlier are removed from its surface, and weeds... The soil is dug to the depth of the fertile layer. This promotes the accumulation of moisture and nutrients.
The 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, clay are added for 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);
- potash dressings without chlorine (50 g).
Preparation of seedlings
How to prepare seedlings for planting depends on their quality. It is best to choose biennial plants with a height of 60 cm. It is desirable that the apple tree has three side shoots, the distance between which is 0.5 m.
Annual shoots lack lateral branches. To prepare an apple tree of this age, cut it, 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 pruned. To strengthen the roots, they are briefly placed in a mushy mixture of clay, mullein and water.
When the roots are dry, 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 the apple tree, a hole measuring 1x1 m in length and width should be prepared. The depth of the pit is 0.8 m. A stake of aspen or hazel is driven into it, no more than 5 cm thick.The support should rise 40 cm above the ground.
Fertilizers are applied to the soil dug from the planting pit, 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 the apple tree:
- On the resulting hill, you need to install a seedling and spread its root system.
- The root collar of the seedling should be 5 cm above the soil surface. You can identify the root collar at the place where the color of the bark changes from greenish to brown. When filling the hole, soil is used from the upper soil layer, from which a layer 15 cm thick is made.
- The seedling must be shaken when covered with soil. This will avoid voids next to the root system of the apple tree.
- Then the soil on the roots is carefully trampled so as not to damage the roots.
- Loose soil is poured on top.
- The seedling should 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. For each seedling, 3 buckets of water are required.
Care after landing
Preparation of apple trees for winter in the Moscow region is carried out by watering seedlings, processing against pests and diseases. Summer varieties may require additional cover.
Watering seedlings
For watering the seedling in the ground, a round hole is formed. Its diameter should correspond to the diameter of the pit. To maintain a high level of moisture, the soil is mulched with humus, compost, or dry soil. The mulch layer is 5-8 cm.
Autumn watering depends on the intensity of precipitation. If there are prolonged rains in the fall, then there is no need for additional moisture. When the rains are rare and drizzling, the planted apple tree should be well watered for the winter.
Apple tree care in autumn in the form of watering increases the strength of branches and bark to frost. For each seedling, 3 liters of water are used. Watering is done in the formed hole.
Treatment against diseases and pests
Processing apple trees in autumn from diseases and pests is produced in dry weather in the absence of wind. After the first frost and at zero temperatures, the procedure is not performed.
To protect against fungal diseases and moths, treatment is carried out with preparations containing copper (copper and iron vitriol, Oxyhom, 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.
To prevent the planting from being damaged by hares and rodents, a netting is placed around them. The trunk can be protected with spruce branches, roofing felt, fiberglass.
Shelter for the winter
To prepare the 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 in several layers of paper, cloth or spunbond.
Apple tree shelter roofing material and other materials that do not allow air and moisture to pass through, can lead to the death of the 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. Correct planting ensures the further development of the seedlings. In the Moscow region, work begins in September. The soil and the planting pit must be prepared, the composition of the soil is improved, and fertilizers are applied. Apple trees planted in autumn need watering, protection from diseases and pests, and shelter for the winter.
