How to plant cherries in spring: a step-by-step beginner's guide

For stone fruit crops, the optimal placement time on the site is the beginning of the growing season before sap flow. Planting cherries in open ground with seedlings in spring will give a positive result if the variety corresponds to the climate and the work is carried out taking into account the requirements of agricultural technology. The tree will grow normally with adequate light and fertile, neutral soil.

Features of planting cherries in spring

Berry culture is widespread in Russia from the south to the Far North. The plant is characterized by standard agricultural techniques, takes root well in a new place, bears fruit abundantly every season. Popular varieties are created on the basis of ordinary cherry, which, due to its high frost resistance and undemanding watering, is capable of growing in all climatic zones.

Depending on the variety, the crop is harvested in 4-5 years of vegetation, the tree retains the ability to bear fruit for more than 30 years. All the positive aspects of culture are fully revealed if the biological needs of a tree or shrub are taken into account when planting.

When determining the location on the site, the following factors are taken into account. For photosynthesis, the plant needs a sufficient amount of ultraviolet radiation; in the shade, the vegetation will be incomplete, so the yield and quality of berries may suffer. The plant is placed on the southern or eastern slopes, an open unshaded area is suitable.

Cherry does not react well to gusts of the north wind and constant drafts, especially at the beginning of the season: during flowering and swelling of the buds.

For landing, choose a place protected by a wall or solid fence

Neighborhood with large-sized trees is not scary for an adult tree, but the seedling will not develop in the shade and at high humidity.

A drought-resistant crop can go without water for a long time. The central recessed root supplies enough moisture from the soil layers; young seedlings are watered regularly. Cherry vegetation is early. At this time, there are no abnormally high temperatures, and the soil is sufficiently moistened by melting snows.

Excess water for young trees can be fatal. Therefore, when planting, they do not consider lowlands where water from precipitation accumulates; for the same reason, ravines, wetlands and areas with close groundwater are not suitable. The horizontal part of the root system is deepened within 60 cm and extends beyond the border of the crown. With high humidity in a large area around the cherry, there is a risk of root rot, disease and even death of the plant.

When planting a crop, a novice gardener cannot be neglected by determining the composition of the soil. On acidic or alkaline soils, cherries will not be able to develop, they need neutral soil. The soil should be fertile, light, well aerated. Clay and sandy soils are not suitable for planting.

Planting cherries in spring has a number of advantages; a young tree has enough time before the onset of cold weather to form a root system that is strong for its age. During the period of growth, gardeners will be able to determine, according to the condition of the seedling, mistakes made during planting, the appearance of pests or diseases, and also take measures to eliminate the problem.

When is the best time to plant cherries in spring

It is recommended to plant stone fruit crops in spring, this condition is especially important for a temperate climate. In the south, the planting season does not play a big role. If the cherry is placed on the site in the fall, it will have time to take root before the frost and in the spring it will immediately begin to build up the root mass. In climates with early and cold winters, there is a risk that the seedling will not overwinter even with sufficient shelter, so the fall months are not considered for planting.

Landing times also depend on the weather conditions of the area.

Work is carried out when the soil has warmed up to +7 ⁰C, and at night temperatures are above zero (+ 4-6 ⁰C).

Sap flow is early in the culture, so you should have time to plant a tree before it starts. Then the plant will more easily endure stress and take root faster. For the middle lane, the approximate landing time starts at the end of April and lasts until mid-May. In the Urals, the dates are shifted and the landing is carried out 10 days later. In southern climates, planting work is completed by mid-April.

How to choose a cherry seedling for planting in spring

The most important thing in choosing a planting material is not to be mistaken with a variety. Cherries of southern latitudes will not be able to grow in temperate climates due to poor winter hardiness. Frosts in the spring will become a special threat to her, the buds will die, the tree will not bear fruit.

Representatives with good winter hardiness will hardly tolerate high summer temperatures due to their weak drought tolerance. A variety that is released in this area or adapted to its conditions is required.

Even with the right choice of the variety, planting will not give a positive result if the planting material is of unsatisfactory quality. The basic requirements for a seedling are as follows:

• age not younger than one and not older than two years;
• the presence of healthy vegetative buds at rest, planting cherries with leaves in spring will be less successful. The plant can take root, but it will hurt for a long time;
• the optimal height of a young tree is 1.5 m, the thickness of the central trunk is at least 1 cm, but the indicator depends on the variety and shape of the crown;
• pay special attention to the condition of the root. There should be no visible damage, signs of drying out or rot on the surface. This can only be considered in seedlings with an open root system;
• if the planting material was purchased in a shipping pot, pay attention to the condition of the soil. The soil should be moderately moist, without signs of mold and free of foreign odors;
• the bark of a young cherry is smooth, light brown in color, there should be no damaged areas.

If a thermophilic cherry is planted in Siberia, then the plant will not take root and the time for planting will be wasted.

How to prepare the soil for planting cherries in spring

The landing site is being prepared in the fall. Determine the composition of the soil. If necessary, neutralize by adding dolomite flour (with a high acidity) or granular sulfur, if the soil is alkaline. These activities are repeated every 4 years. A plot of 1x1 m is dug to a depth of 15-20 cm. This is a necessary measure to eliminate pests that winter in the upper layers of the soil.

Preparing the site in the spring before planting

When preparing a pit in the fall, the introduction of organic matter is not relevant.If the planting recess is made before planting, then compost, phosphate and potassium are added to the prepared place, covered with wood ash.

Preparing a pit for planting cherries in spring

Autumn work is carried out before the onset of frost: in a temperate climate, around the end of September, October is suitable for the south. By this time, the caterpillars of the pests will go into the ground and the disturbance of the upper layer will become destructive for them.

Tips for preparing a pit in the fall:

1. The exact size of the groove is difficult to determine; it directly depends on the length and volume of the root.
2. They are guided by the average parameters, when planting they are corrected: 20 cm is taken away for drainage, 15-25 cm - for a nutritious substrate, 15-20 cm - the height of the root to the neck. The depth must be at least 0.5 m.
3. The same width can be made, it is better to fill up the excess space, the main thing is that the plant is not cramped.
4. The bottom of the hole is covered with a layer of large stone, construction waste in the form of broken bricks can be used, concrete fragments cannot be used. The next layer is coarse gravel. Finish the drainage cushion with rubble.

This concludes the autumn preparation for planting.

The advantages of autumn work are that during the winter drainage will settle under a layer of snow, the boundaries of the pit will be visible. By the hole in the spring, you can determine the depth of warming up the earth.

Spring preparation of the pit for planting is not very different. When the ground warms up, dig the soil. Leave the hole until the end of the night frosts.

How to plant cherries correctly in spring

Planting material is prepared. If it has an open root, it is dipped in a pale pink solution of manganese, left for 2 hours. Then dilute "Kornevin" or any drug that stimulates growth, immerse the root system in it, soak for several hours. These activities are not carried out for planting material in a portable pot; in the nursery, the root is disinfected before being sold.

Make a nutrient mixture from the top layer of soil (sod) and humus in equal parts. Sand is added to loamy soil, about ¼ of the volume, for sandy loam this component is not needed. Then potassium and phosphate are added to 10 kg of the mixture. For planting, you will need 15-20 kg of substrate.

In the table you can see the approximate doses of fertilizers required per hole.

Step-by-step instructions on how to plant cherries in spring:

1. Displaced 10 cm from the center, drive in a stake.
2. Divide the potting mix into two parts.
3. One is poured onto the drainage, if the root is open, then the embankment is made in the form of a cone. The seedling is placed vertically on a hill.
4. Spread the roots over the ground, cover with the rest of the substrate to cover the root. Slightly compact by hand.
5. Then the rest of the soil mixture is poured, tamped.
6. If the mixture is not enough, add soil from the top layer.
7. Planting material purchased in a shipping pot is poured with warm water and carefully removed from the container.
8. The hill at the bottom of the pit is not made, the mixture is poured in an even layer, a cherry is placed on it along with an earthen lump and covered to the top.
9. If a young tree has a soft protective material at the root, it is removed and put into a hole together with the soil, and they fall asleep in the same way.

A shallow trench is dug along the perimeter of the root circle, this is necessary so that water does not spread. Watered abundantly and tied to a fixing stake so that the young tree does not break from the wind and the trunk forms even.

If it is necessary to plant plants in the summer, use material only with a protected root. Planting cherries with a closed root system in summer is carried out in the same way as in spring - together with an earthen clod. This must be done carefully, minimally injuring the seedling. To prevent the cherry from getting burned, after planting it is shaded at noon.

Two-year-old cherries with a closed root are suitable for planting even in summer

How deep to plant cherries in spring

The planting hole should be deep enough. Excess space can be filled up with soil. If the deepening is shallow, the work will have to be done again.The root collar must not be deepened (covered with soil), raised too high above the surface. In the first case, rotting and the appearance of fungal infections are possible. In the second, drying of the root and death of the seedling.

At what temperature to plant cherries in spring

The optimal temperature indicator in the spring, when you can safely start planting a culture +5 ⁰C, 3-4 is enough for soil ⁰ C. But there are some nuances here, the seedling will calmly react to such a temperature regime, only recurrent frosts pose a threat. After planting at night, the plant is covered in order to preserve the buds, to remove the protection for the day. When the weather is stable, the measure will become irrelevant.

For the Ural region and Siberia, varieties have been created that grow in the form of a bush. These are plants with high winter hardiness. Planting of bush cherries in the spring can be carried out at zero soil warming. Daytime temperature + 2-3⁰C, for this variety, frosts do not pose a threat, you can not cover the seedling, but there will be no unnecessary reinsurance.

Distance between cherry seedlings when planting in spring

Thickened planting of cherries in the open ground in spring leads to poor circulation in the crown, curvature of branches, shading of young shoots with buds. If one cherry is sick, the problem will appear on a nearby growing one. The same applies to pests, they quickly appear on neighboring trees. The distance between the pits when planting depends on the type of crop. If the tree is tall, with a spreading crown, maintain a distance of at least 2.5 m. Shrub cherries are distributed at intervals of 2 m. For dwarf forms, 1.5 m is sufficient.

Arrangement of cherries in one line

How to save a cherry seedling before planting in the spring

Cherry is a frost-resistant plant, so it is better to keep the seedlings on the site until spring. The harvest is harvested, there is enough free space. Algorithm for storing seedlings before spring planting:

1. The ditch is dug from west to east, its depth is equal to the height of the seedling minus 10 cm.
2. The roots of the planting material are placed in water for 2 hours.
3. The seedlings are placed at a distance of 15-30 cm from each other, the roots should look to the north, and the branches to the south, they are covered with earth to the crown to make a ridge.
4. After the first slight frost, the branches are covered with a dry mixture of earth and sawdust.
5. Scatter rodent repellent on the embankment.
6. Spruce branches are placed on top, in winter they make a snowdrift at the place of the ditch.

Cherry seedling care after planting in spring

Agrotechnology for caring for young cherries is simple:

1. If a nutrient mixture was introduced during planting, there is no need to feed the plant. It is enough for a seedling for 3 years.
2. In order to prevent the soil from drying out and waterlogging, it is periodically watered, focusing on the frequency of precipitation.
3. Formative pruning begins in the fourth year of the growing season.
4. For the purpose of prevention, pest control is carried out in the spring, and chemicals are also used as needed during the season.
5. Make sure that there are no weeds near the seedling.
6. For the winter they spud the cherries, wrap the bole with sacking.
7. Mulch in spring, and in autumn the layer is renewed and increased.

Experienced gardening tips

Tips from experienced gardeners to help you avoid problems with growing cherries:

1. In autumn and spring, the tree stem is covered with lime or water-based paint to avoid burns.
2. When planting, the seedling is fixed to a support near the lower branches, so it will be more stable.
3. If during the season the plant has not grown in growth, it looks weak, there may be several reasons, but most often it turns out that the root collar is located incorrectly. In this case, the plant must be dug up and replanted.
   
   

   When planting, the root collar is left on the surface

4. If everything is fine with the planting, it means that the soil or place is not suitable for the cherry, it is transferred to another site.

It is better to plant stone fruit crops in spring, always choosing a variety that matches the climatic conditions of the region.

Conclusion

Planting cherries in open ground with seedlings in spring is recommended by specialists, since this is the optimal time for rooting a culture. So that the plant does not hurt and gives a stable harvest, planting is carried out at a favorable time for this. For beginner gardeners, below is a video of planting cherries in spring, which will help you get the job done right.

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