How to properly plant plum seedlings in open ground in spring: step-by-step instructions

How to choose a good seedling

It is necessary to take into account two groups of factors: varietal characteristics and fruiting characteristics, as well as the condition of the plant. If you buy a sick or severely damaged tree, even if agricultural practices and ideal growth conditions are followed, it will not take root. The most significant features are:

Harvest time. It varies from July to October, it should be selected according to the region; if the summer is not very hot, and the cold period can come early, it is better to use early or mid-season varieties. Options with a long growing season are good for the southern regions.
Sizes and characteristics of fruits. They differ in color, size, and taste. Some options are selected for fresh consumption, and others for preparations.
Is the variety zoned in the region? Choose only those varieties that grow normally in the region, withstand climatic conditions and bear fruit without problems. If you buy a non-zoned option, there is a high risk that the plant will not take root.
Frost resistance. One of the most important nuances, since if the tree is heat-loving, it will die after the first winter. Be sure to clarify the temperature limits that are permissible for plums. Ideally, there should be a reserve so that the seedling can withstand the winter without problems.
Pollination conditions. Most often, a tree requires a pollinator nearby for normal fruiting. If there is another plum on the site or the neighbors have, that will be enough. But if there is no tree nearby, you will have to plant at least two copies, and different varieties.

Advice!
If there is not enough space for two seedlings, there is an option to graft 2-3 varieties onto one rootstock. The work is not easy, it is better to ask an experienced gardener for help. After determining the appropriate variety, you need to choose a strong seedling so that it takes root normally and immediately begins to grow. This is easy to do if you know the basic nuances and follow the recommendations:

Type of root system. It can be open or closed, the first option is much cheaper, and the second is sold in a container with soil, so it takes root better, it is recommended for beginners. The closed variety is also good because it is less damaged during transportation, although it weighs more.
Condition of the roots. In the open version, it is easy to inspect this part; the main shoots should be strong and elastic, with numerous branches, without damage, dry areas and dark spots of rot. Nothing is visible in the containers, here it is worth paying attention to the bottom, there should not be many shoots sticking out there, and to the soil on top - if it is very wet and damp, there may be rot inside.
The trunk should not be crooked or deformed, and the presence of branches in the lower part is not allowed. From the root collar to the grafting point, the optimal distance is from 7 to 10 cm. The minimum thickness is from 1 cm, the height is usually about a meter; if the seedling is long and thin, this indicates that it was grown in unfavorable conditions.
The buds should not be open. It is recommended to plant during the period when the tree is dormant, so the presence of swollen buds, and even more so leaves, is undesirable. The tree will use all its resources to form the above-ground part, which is why it will not take root well and may die in the first winter.

Buy in stores or directly at variety testing stations, where the option you like will be dug out of the ground before your eyes. In markets, identical trees are often sold under the guise of different varieties, plus there is no guarantee that the grafting was done well.

By the way, plums can be used to make a very tasty filling for pies.

The best varieties

The most popular types of plums:

Homemade plum. Trees up to 15 m in height. Varieties with fruits of yellow, blue, green and other colors. They have subspecies: Hungarian. The fruits are elongated, the pulp is dense, they are used to make prunes.
Greengage. They have spherical fruits, which are distinguished by more tender pulp than those of Hungarians.
Mirabelle . Small round fruits, yellow or golden in color. Plums are sweet, with dense pulp, good for processing.

Prickly plum (thorn). These are shrubs up to 4.5 m high. They have small fruits with a tart taste.

Chinese plum. Tree height is up to 12 m. Oval or pear-shaped fruits, large, of different colors. Subspecies - Ussuri, Manchurian, Apricot.

Read our additional article about the listed and other most successful plum varieties.

There are about 30 types of plums in total, but the “plum” is usually called the domestic plum.

Today, there are about three hundred popular plum varieties cultivated by gardeners. The presented varieties differ:

Terms of ripening. There are early ripening, mid ripening and late ripening.
Frost resistance. Depending on the temperatures that the tree can withstand, the growing area is determined.
Productivity. From some varieties you can collect 6-8 kg, and from others up to 30-50 kg or even more;
Characteristics of the fruit. The fruits of different varieties differ in color, weight, shape, taste, aroma, and transportability. There are large-fruited, medium- and small-fruited varieties. Varieties are also divided into yellow, blue, and red.
Tree height. There are low-growing, medium- and tall-growing varieties.
Features of pollination. There are varieties that are self-fertile, partially self-fertile and self-sterile.
Drought resistance. There are varieties with high, medium and low drought resistance.
Type of plant. There are tree-like and bush-like plums.

When is the best time to plant

It is recommended to carry out work in the spring or autumn season; in summer it is undesirable to do this due to the heat and the processes occurring in the plant. Each period has its pros and cons, which are worth looking into to decide when is the best time to plant. As for spring, the features are as follows:

There is a whole season for rooting and adaptation. The main thing is to plant on time; if you do this after the start of sap flow, then the plum, on the contrary, will take root poorly.
Over the summer, the roots grow well. Before winter, the tree stores up all the necessary microelements in order to survive the cold period normally.
It is important to choose the right moment and carry out the work when it is still cool. The optimal average daily temperature is about 5 degrees, then as the earth warms up, the roots of the plant will awaken and absorb moisture.
If the weather is very warm and clear, it is better to shade the tree for the first time, then the trunk will not get sunburn.

When planting in spring, you need to provide proper care so that the plant will develop. In the absence of rain, water once every 2 weeks; at first, it is also important to protect the seedling from damage; if there are pets running around in the yard, make a small fence.

Autumn planting has its own characteristics that differ from the first option. Therefore, it is better to understand them and decide when to carry out the work:

It is necessary to plant plums at least 3 weeks before the onset of cold weather. If you do this too late, the seedlings will not have time to take root and will die in the winter. But it is important that the tree has already entered a dormant state.
The choice of varieties during this period is very large. All nurseries sell planting material in a full range. But in the spring, most often, there is only what is left from the fall.
No additional care is needed. Usually the weather is cloudy, there is enough moisture in the ground, the tree does not need anything else.
When early and cold winter sets in, there is a high risk of seedling death. In this case, you can bend the plum and cover it, then the probability of survival will increase significantly.

If a tree has yellow leaves, this may be a sign that it has not yet prepared for winter. Ideally, buy a plant without leaves, in which the processes of sap flow and shoot formation have stopped.

Planting recommendations for different regions

The choice of the appropriate time also depends on the place where the work is being carried out. Climatic features can promote or create problems for plum rooting, so they must be taken into account. Recommendations for the spring period:

In the southern regions, plant in the second part of March or early April. If spring is early, then the dates shift even further. The main thing is to be in time before the kidneys awaken.
In the middle zone, favorable times usually begin in mid-April. But here it is also important to monitor the weather; in recent years in the Moscow region it is often possible to carry out work 1-2 weeks earlier.
In Siberia and the Urals this is the end of April or the beginning of May. It all depends on the regions, each has its own climatic characteristics and spring comes in different ways. Planting plums in the spring in the Leningrad region should be done at this time, since it is usually late and cold there.

When planting in the fall, it is also important to consider the region. Moreover, in this case it is even more important, since if winter comes abruptly and suddenly, the tree will most likely die. The deadlines in this case are:

In the south, work can be carried out until late autumn - late October or even early November. There is no need to rush so that the heat does not return; choose a time when the temperature is stable.
For the middle zone, the preferred period is from late September to mid-October. Moreover, if an early winter is predicted, shift the date, leaving the tree a month's reserve for rooting.
Plant plums in the Urals and Siberia in early autumn. Although in some regions it is possible to shift the dates by 2-3 weeks, especially if a warm period is forecast.

Advice!

If possible, do not carry out work in cold regions in the fall; plums do not take root well in such conditions. Choose autumn planting for the south or middle zone.

If the right time in the fall is missed, do not plant the plants. It is better to bury them horizontally and cover them with snow, or plant them in a bucket and place them in a cold basement until spring. So, the seedlings will definitely not die during the cold period.

Fertilizer requirements for plum trees

Plum does not need frequent fertilization of the soil. It only needs the nutrient layer that is laid at the bottom of the hole before planting. In the first year, the tree does not need to be fertilized additionally. Starting from 2-3 years of age of plums, you need to mix humus into the soil. It is recommended to add potassium sulfate and superphosphate to it. The proportion per 1 square meter will be: half a bucket of compost + 50 grams of superphosphate + 20 grams of potassium sulfate. In spring, plums are fertilized with ammonium nitrate. 20 grams of product are required per 1 square meter. After flowering, the plant also needs to be fed. Green broths and natural organics are suitable for this. The recipe for the mixture is simple: dilute 2 tablespoons of urea + 3 nitrophoska in a bucket of water.

Preparing the landing site

This stage should be carried out long before the main part. At a minimum - in the fall, if you plant a plum in the spring and, vice versa, when planting at the end of the season. Many people prepare a pit a year in advance; experts recommend this option. The process consists of several important steps.

Where to place

You can’t plant a plum just anywhere; it can grow normally and bear fruit only under favorable conditions. Choose a place in advance, free it from bushes, weeds and debris. Comply with the requirements of this plant:

Good illumination of the area. In the shade, the tree develops poorly, the trunk is bent, the branches are deformed. Shading is allowed, but not more than a few hours a day.
The distance to the fence and buildings is at least 3 meters. This is necessary for normal tree growth, crown ventilation, and ease of maintenance.
The place should be protected from cold winds and drafts. Plum grows and bears fruit poorly in such conditions.
The depth of groundwater is no less than 1.5 m. If the water is closer, the surface root system will begin to rot over time.
Choose places on small hills. The tree should not be flooded with melt water in the spring.
Make the distance between trees according to the crown size and height. For medium-sized plants, the minimum value is 2 m, for tall plants – 3 m or more. When planting a garden between the rows, make a gap of 4 or 5 meters, respectively, and plant strictly according to the scheme.
Do not plant next to plants that create competition for food and have a similar root system. These include: raspberries, sea buckthorn, cherries and cherries, currants, peach, pear, walnut, sea buckthorn. The best neighbors are apple trees and other varieties of plums.

Don't forget about the need for pollination. The neighboring tree must be within a radius of 30 meters. Often they use a paired planting option, when they select 2 varieties (from the zoned ones, it is advisable to look at photos of the fruits, to understand which plums will grow) and place them close to each other.

Prepare the pit correctly

For trees, light, breathable soil is best. If the soil is poor or there is a lot of clay in it, it’s not a big deal; with proper preparation, the plum tree will grow in ideal conditions. Carry out the work six months to a year in advance, prepare the pit:

In the selected area, dig a hole with a diameter of 70 cm to a meter and a depth of approximately 70-80 cm. The shape does not matter, the main thing is to remove the soil.
If the acidity of the soil is increased, add dolomite flour. It will lower the pH level and serve as an additional fertilizer. You just need to evenly distribute the composition along the bottom of the previously dug hole.
If there is a danger of flooding with groundwater in the spring, it is advisable to make drainage at the bottom. To do this, deepen the hole 20 cm and add a layer of broken bricks or small stones.
Prepare a nutrient mixture. To do this, mix compost or rotted manure with peat in equal parts, add black soil (about a third of the total volume). Add 75 potassium sulfate and urea, as well as 25 g of superphosphate. The second option for saturating with nutrients is to add 2 cups of nitrophoska and 2-3 liters of wood ash.
Fill the hole to ¾ of the volume with the compound. Distribute evenly, compact with feet or a log. Sprinkle garden soil on top and make a small mound, since the surface will sag in any case. If after a month a hole forms in the prepared area, add more earth so that there is no depression.

Advice!

If the hole was prepared in a field or in a place where it would be difficult to find it later, it is better to drive a stick in the middle as a mark.

Even in a fertile area, it is worth preparing a hole to create ideal conditions for the survival and growth of a young tree. It must be arranged in advance so that the ground shrinks and the tree does not deepen.

How to prepare a hill for planting

If the groundwater in the area is shallow or there is a danger of flooding in the spring, it is better to prepare an elevation in which it is convenient to plant plums in the spring. This option can be used when the garden is located on the northern or eastern side of a slope, as well as in places with very heavy and dense soil. Carry out work like this:

Mark a circle with a diameter of approximately 2 meters. First, carefully remove the turf from the entire area so that grass and weeds do not sprout later. It is best to go deeper by about 30 cm, remove all the removed soil, it will not be needed.
Prepare a nutrient mixture of humus, peat and black soil in equal proportions. Add 3 liters of ash and 200 g of nitrophoska to saturate it with nutrients.
Pour a layer at least 80 cm thick. You will get a hill that may shrink quite strongly over time; in this case, add more soil so that the hill after shrinkage is 40 to 50 cm high.

If there is a danger of the hill collapsing, it can be strengthened by placing boards around the perimeter or by covering the surface with grass. Sodding will make the hill much stronger. Further work is done in the same way; there is no particular difference where to place the tree.

Landing instructions

It is very important to plant a plum tree correctly; the tree will quickly take root and begin to grow and develop intensively. Prepare a shovel and a container of water, which must first be settled if it is from the water supply. Follow these steps:

Make a hole slightly larger in diameter than the root part of the seedling. If you purchased the version with bare roots, it is better to put it in water for a couple of hours, and then dip it in a mash of clay and humus. Make the depth so that the root collar is above the surface.
Place the seedling in the hole, spread the roots around the perimeter, they should not bend or rest against the walls. Place a level strip on the ground, check the location of the root collar; it should be slightly higher than the surface, since over time the tree will inevitably shrink a little.
Fill in a layer of earth approximately 15 cm thick. Level it, cover all the roots, and then pour out 30 liters of water, the soil will settle, fill all the voids, and the liquid will wet the bottom of the hole, and the roots will grow correctly.
Install the support, and for the first time ensure the vertical position of the seedling. You can drive two pegs.
Fill the soil to the top, make a slight elevation. Make a furrow around the perimeter so that the water will not spread during watering and precipitation.
Tie up the trunk. Use soft twine, do not tighten it too much, do not crush the wood or damage the bark. Mulch the surface of the ground with peat to retain moisture.

It is best to carry out work in the morning or evening, when there is no sun. If bright sun is forecast, shade the seedling for 2-3 days to prevent it from getting burned. Compact the soil well, if after a few days it sag, add more.

Pruning and crown formation

The very first pruning should be done after the plum is planted on the site. The owner must determine by visual inspection the strongest and strongest branches. A crown is formed from them - several tiers of 5-6 branches each. It is also important to mark the conductor and cut it so that it is the longest. The tiers should be arranged like this - the longest branches at the top, the shortest at the bottom. Pruning should be done every year to maintain a neat appearance of the crown. In addition, young trees are distinguished by the fact that they often grow extra branches. They must be cut so that the branches do not shade each other and interfere with the normal growth of the plum.

Preventive pruning is carried out in the spring. Usually this is April-May. Remove old and winter-damaged branches. They are then burned to prevent the proliferation of parasites.

How to care after planting

Since the seedling adapts throughout the season, it is necessary to provide it with ideal conditions for development. It is important to follow a few simple recommendations; they will not take much time, but will be of great benefit and will help you grow a healthy plant that will survive the winter. Remember the following:

Water only if the weather is dry and there is not enough moisture in the soil. Carry out the work once every 2 weeks, pour out 2-3 buckets of water at a time, let it sit for half a day so that it warms up to air temperature. It is best to do this in the afternoon after sunset, the water will be absorbed and absorbed by the roots faster.
Mulch the surface after each watering. This will prevent the appearance of a hard crust on the soil, and if you use peat, it will serve as an additional fertilizer. You can also use available materials: mown grass, dried weeds, straw, sawdust. Leave space near the root collar so that it does not rot.
If mulch is not used, then it is necessary to loosen the tree trunk once every 2 weeks, as well as after rains and waterings. Do not go deeper than 3 cm, do not damage the upper suction roots.
There is no need to feed the plum in the first 2-3 years, since the prepared mixture has enough nutrients.
In the fall it is necessary to prune. To do this, select the formation option in advance and remove all unnecessary shoots according to the scheme. If the tree is growing normally, then simply shorten the branches by about a third of the length. Use pruning shears, cut accurately and evenly, and carry out the work at least a month before the onset of cold weather.
If planted in Siberia or the Urals, then in the first winter it is advisable to protect the plant from the cold. To do this, build a wooden frame, place it and fill it with pine branches or dry leaves.

The pegs to which the tree is tied must be removed after 1-2 months, when the plum takes root and begins to grow. In summer, if the weather is very hot, you can shade the plant with agro-canvas, this will easily retain moisture and prevent burns.

Methods for growing plums

When growing this fruit crop, they usually use planting seedlings purchased from various stores and nurseries, but there are other methods. Plum propagates by seeds and vegetatively, but for simplicity, the second method is used.

Planting with seeds is used only to obtain seedlings for rootstocks. Seeds are removed from healthy fruits without signs of damage and soaked for 4 days, periodically changing the water. The seeds are then dried and stored in a closed container until planting. In the fall, they are mixed with wet sand and kept at temperatures from 0 to -10 degrees for six months. At the end of April, seeds are planted for germination.

Another way to grow plums is grafting. To carry it out, you need a rootstock seedling from a variety with high winter hardiness. For scion cuttings, shoots of existing trees are used or purchased specially. The grafting is carried out in the second half of spring or at the end of summer, when active sap flow occurs.

Good, strong seedlings are obtained from root shoots. To do this, in September, the root that has produced shoots is cut off from the mother plant. With the onset of spring, they are dug up along with the roots and transplanted to a new place.

Another method of independently obtaining seedlings is growing from root cuttings:

To do this, dig up roots at a distance of 1-1.5 m from an adult tree.
Roots 15 cm long and 10.5 cm thick are selected.
Before planting, they are stored in the basement, placed in moistened sawdust with the addition of moss.
In May, the roots are planted in deep boxes with a peat-sand mixture in a vertical or slightly inclined position, with the upper end buried 3 cm.
The soil is mulched with sand and the box is covered with film.
The boxes are placed in a dark place until shoots appear.
During the summer, seedlings are fed with organic matter 2-3 times.
After a year, the seedlings are transplanted into separate containers and grown to a height of 1.5 m.
Then the young plants are transplanted to a permanent place.

Recommendations for care in the first seasons

In addition to the activities described above, additional work may be added that must be completed. Perform them infrequently, usually 1-2 times a year. Remember simple recommendations:

Remove root growth. Don’t cut it out, it’s easier to prepare a 10% urea solution and water the shoots 3-4 times on a sunny day. After this they will die.
Feed once every 2-3 years. Use a complex composition for fruit trees.
To improve pollination, do not use chemicals during the flowering period. To attract bees, you can spray the crown with water with added sugar.
In autumn and spring, spray the plant with a solution of copper sulfate. This is a good prevention of fungal diseases and pests.
If foci of disease or insects appear on the tree during the summer season, purchase a suitable composition and spray it immediately. After the start of fruiting, treat every year for worms, otherwise at least half of the fruits will be spoiled.

Advice!

Whiten the trunk and lower branches not only in spring, but also in autumn, to destroy pests and their oviposition.

Errors during landing

Inexperienced gardeners may do the work incorrectly, which leads to poor growth or even death of the plum tree. The easiest way is to study them, this will help you not make mistakes and ensure good survival of the tree:

Shading or planting in an area with high groundwater levels.
Deepening the root collar.
Severe damage to roots during transplantation.
Carrying out work after the buds have opened.

If damaged roots are found, it is better to remove them and treat all sections with a solution of potassium permanganate. If there are scratches on the bark, spray them with a solution of copper sulfate or cover them with garden varnish.

Harvesting

The long-awaited harvest takes place at the end of summer. There are several rules to follow when harvesting plums:

Fruits can only be collected in dry weather, since wet plums are stored for much less time.
The fruit must be picked immediately after it is formed. Overripe plums quickly rot.
You need to choose healthy fruits that are not damaged by parasites.
Collection should begin from the lower branches, gradually moving to the top.
Harvesting is carried out in several approaches, since the plum ripens unevenly.

Each owner decides for himself what to do with the harvest. It can either be consumed immediately, or prepared for the winter in the form of, for example, jam.