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The question of how to plant a gooseberry correctly in the fall is sooner or later asked by gardeners who grow this tasty and healthy berry on their site, who will learn about the possibility of planting a plant after the summer period. And it is not surprising, because this method has its advantages.
When is it better to plant gooseberries: in spring or autumn
Planting gooseberries in the fall has several benefits.
Firstly, in the autumn, the assortment of planting material in specialized stores and nurseries is significantly expanding. Many different varieties appear on the windows, thanks to which you can choose the most suitable for the conditions of the climatic zone. The selection of open-root seedlings is also increasing, making it possible to inspect the plant thoroughly before purchasing. The likelihood of purchasing low-quality planting material is significantly reduced.
Secondly, the survival rate of gooseberries when planting seedlings in autumn is much higher than in spring, since the shrub does not need to expend energy on the growth and development of shoots at this time. Since all the forces of the gooseberry in the fall are aimed at strengthening in the soil and developing the root system, its survival rates reach about 85 - 92%. Low air temperature also helps in adapting the plant after transplantation.
The third benefit is significant time savings. After planting in the fall, gooseberry bushes require minimal maintenance: watering will mainly be carried out with the help of autumn rains, cold temperatures will slow down the process of moisture evaporation. All this contributes to the better rooting of seedlings in the soil.
Among the disadvantages of the autumn planting of gooseberries, one can single out a high probability of freezing of the root system with a sharp decrease in temperature, as well as an increased danger of attack by rodents, who do not miss the opportunity to taste young bark in the fall.
How to plant gooseberries in autumn
The process of planting gooseberries in the fall has many subtleties and nuances that must be taken into account. So that the plant grows and develops well, it needs to be provided with a comfortable place and proper care from the first days of life. First, you need to decide on the timing of planting, while for each region they will be different.
Recommended timing
Depending on the weather conditions in the region, the autumn planting of gooseberries is carried out in early September or early October. The main thing is that before the first frosts come, at least half a month remains: during this time the plant will have time to get stronger and take root.
In the Moscow region and central Russia, planting operations, as a rule, are carried out from the last days of September to mid-October. In Siberia and the Urals, frosts come earlier, therefore, gooseberry planting should be started in the first half of September, so that the seedlings have time to get stronger.
It is recommended to plant gooseberries in cloudy, calm weather. It is best to buy seedlings about 10 to 14 days before the planned planting date.
Site selection and soil preparation
The gooseberry planting site should have a flat surface, be well lit and protected from gusty winds. Shrubs should not be placed in swampy lowlands and groundwater locations.
It is also undesirable to place gooseberries in areas where the soil has been depleted by raspberries or currants. These crops are threatened by common pests and pathogens that can remain in the soil for a fairly long period of time.
The location of gooseberry bushes next to fences or fruit trees is allowed, however, in this case, it must be borne in mind that over time, its shoots grow strongly. That is why, when choosing a place, it is important to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 m from the fence, and at least 2 m from other trees.
The soil for planting gooseberries in the fall should be nutritious. A potting soil mix containing:
- topsoil (2 parts);
- humus (part 1);
- sulfuric potassium (50 g);
- double phosphate (50 g).
All components must be thoroughly mixed. The resulting nutrient mixture is poured into the planting pits in advance, about a couple of weeks before planting, so that it has time to settle slightly. If the soil in the selected area is too heavy, loamy, it will not be superfluous to add river sand (1 part) to the soil mixture.
Selection and preparation of a seedling
Gooseberry seedlings with an open root system at the age of no more than two years are ideal for planting in the fall. Older seedlings take longer to take root, since the process of their adaptation takes longer. When choosing, first of all, you should pay attention to the shoots and the root system. The length of 2 - 3 strong shoots should be at least 30 cm, and the roots should be at least 20 cm.
If the root system of the seedlings is dry, it is necessary to place them in warm water for a day. After that, it is necessary to remove the main deciduous mass from young plants, as well as damaged and dry roots that have not recovered after soaking in water.
Next, you should prepare a clay mixture in which the gooseberry seedling will wait for transplantation to a permanent place. To prepare it, you will need the following components:
- 1 kg of clay;
- 1 kg of black soil;
- 2 packages of "Kornevin";
- 3 liters of water.
How to plant gooseberries in the fall
Planting gooseberries in several rows is best done according to the standard scheme, according to which the distance between bushes in a row should be about 1.5 m, and between rows - 2.5 m.
Algorithm for planting gooseberry seedlings in the fall:
- A few weeks before planting, dig up the area to the depth of a shovel bayonet, while simultaneously getting rid of weeds and breaking all hard earth lumps.
- Dig a landing hole. Its size should exceed the size of the plant's root system. On average, the optimal diameter is 50 cm, the depth is about 60 cm.
- Pour 2/3 of the pre-prepared nutritious soil mixture into the planting hole, distribute evenly.
- From the remaining 1/3 of the nutrient soil mixture, form a small mound in the pit. So leave the land to settle for about two weeks.
- After two weeks, you can start the planting process itself. The seedling must be placed in an upright position in a planting pit on a mound, while gently straightening the roots.
- Water and cover with earth located along the edges of the planting pit, so that the neck of the seedling is buried in the soil by about 5 cm.
- Lightly trample the soil around the plant, water and mulch again abundantly.Humus can be used as mulch, this will prevent excessive evaporation of moisture.
Shrub care after planting
A gooseberry, planted in a permanent place in the fall, requires less maintenance after planting: you can leave it alone until the next spring season. Autumn rains will take care of soil moisture, and a layer of mulch and snow will help the young plant to survive the frosts calmly. If the winter promises to be with little snow, it is recommended to build an additional shelter for the seedlings from specialized heat-insulating materials.
Conclusion
In order to properly plant gooseberries in the fall, it is important to adhere to a number of simple rules. The plant variety should be chosen based on the climatic conditions of the region in which it is planned to plant. The timing of planting will also depend on the weather. When placed in nutrient soil, seedlings covered with a layer of mulch do not require additional maintenance until the onset of the first thaws.
