How to plant an apple tree in spring: gardeners’ experience with video

Is it possible to plant apple trees in spring?

Important! When the seedlings are dormant, they are easier to transplant; therefore, they should not be planted in the summer at the height of the growing season.
But winter is also not suitable for transplanting seedlings, since their roots have not yet become strong and they will die when planted in frozen soil. Therefore, plant an apple tree in autumn and spring. The choice of planting period also depends on the age of the seedlings.

Those trees that are 1-2 years old are preferably planted in the spring.
Saplings that are 3-4 years old will survive planting better in the fall.
And it is better to replant adult apple trees late in the fall, when they are dormant.

Apple tree seedlings

When choosing a variety, you must take into account that its characteristics will affect the period in which the plant should be planted and the rules for care.

Age. In spring, it is best to transplant young seedlings, no older than 2 years. Older plants are best planted in the fall. Large apple trees are recommended to be replanted in late autumn, since at this time the plant's growing season ends. This is necessary to protect against death when changing areas.
Roots. The plant, which is sold bare-rooted, will do best in mild climates. For the owner of land plots near St. Petersburg, in the Urals and Siberia, it is best to purchase an apple tree in some container.
Variety In the spring, columnar apple trees are planted, since they have developed roots. During the period of active plant growth, the roots will take root well in the soil, so in winter it will be necessary to insulate it. Planting of dwarf apple trees and semi-dwarf varieties follows the same pattern, since the root system is as well developed as that of ordinary apple trees, these varieties are very demanding in terms of planting time.

When choosing a seedling, you should not stop at tall trees. The root system of large plants is severely damaged, since in nurseries where apple trees are grown they are removed from the ground using a special mechanism. Large branches of such plants should be cut off immediately after planting, otherwise they will die.

Advice! It is better to choose small one-year or two-year-old seedlings, since their roots are much more compact.

When buying seedlings from random sellers or on the street, you should remember the high probability of acquiring an ungrafted and unregistered plant. Therefore, it is best to make a purchase in a specialized store or nursery, where various varieties are grown specifically for a particular region, differing in their yield, winter hardiness, and drought resistance.

Watch the video! 100% seedling survival rate

Features in different regions:

In outskirts of Moscow

When planting, examine the seedlings; the buds should not swell on them, and the rhizomes should not begin to grow. This is possible in early spring: in the Moscow region from April 10 to early May . If you are late with planting, the apple tree will begin to hurt.

In central Russia

In central Russia, apple trees need to be planted in mid-spring.

In the Leningrad region

Trees are planted when the air temperature is above 0 and there is no frost. This happens towards the end of April.

How to plant an apple tree in the spring in the Urals and Siberia?

In the Urals and Siberia, nature is unpredictable and very sharp temperature fluctuations are possible. Because of this, it is not recommended to plant trees in the fall, since frosts can occur at any time; they are planted in early spring, when the soil thaws a little. This happens by the beginning of May .

In the south of Russia

The further south the region is, the earlier you can start planting apple trees.

In Ukraine and Belarus

Seedlings are planted at the end of April .

Optimal planting dates

Apple tree seedlings

An important aspect of the proper development of a fruit tree is the correct timing of planting and a well-chosen location for planting the seedling. You can plant an apple tree in the spring only if the air temperature is already confidently above zero and unexpected frosts are not expected.

Planting is done even before the buds swell. Usually the optimal time in the European part of our country is the beginning or second ten days of April. This time of spring is already quite warm, the snow, as a rule, has melted, and the seedlings will feel good in the soil that has receded after the winter.

To accurately verify the safety of the seed and determine the degree of soil freezing, it is enough to simply stick and dig up the soil on the site several times. If the shovel penetrates the soil easily and is also easy to turn over, then the time for planting apple tree seedlings has come.

Timing may vary greatly depending on the planting region. So, in areas with early onset of aridity, planting can begin as early as March or even February. And in regions where frosts last a long time, not giving way to spring, on the contrary, planting is postponed to May or even June.

It is important to understand that you need to plant an apple tree before biological processes begin in the tree . As soon as sap flow and swelling of the buds begin, planting will become undesirable. If it is carried out, the tree will take a long time to adapt to the environment and may not produce a harvest for a long time.

All fruit trees love well-moistened soil. This is another factor to consider before planting. You should not wait for the moment when the soil completely thaws and loses most of its moisture. The tree will take root well in soil that has become saturated with snow melting.

How to preserve seedlings before planting in the ground?

Important! Buy only those seedlings that were grown in your area.

If you have already purchased seedlings, but the time has not yet come to plant them, then you must treat the preservation of seedlings responsibly. The roots of the crop can quickly absorb water and also evaporate it.

The root system will dry out in the open air after a while, which is why it needs to be wrapped in a wet cloth or sprinkled with water, and then layers of polyethylene are wrapped around it.

Store young apple trees in a cool room . Before planting, the roots can be placed in a bucket of water for several hours. But apple trees with roots dipped in water cannot be stored for a long time, otherwise they will rot.

Deadlines

Spring planting of apple trees in the south is carried out in mid-April , in the middle zone - at the end of April, in Siberia and the Urals - in mid-May. At this time, the soil is already well warmed up, but still saturated with moisture.

The lunar sowing calendar helps to choose successful days for planting fruit trees.

The following days are considered a favorable period for this in 2022:

March - 3–7, 10–12, 24-25;
April - 12-13, 20-22, 27-30;
May - 18-19, 24-26.

Unfavorable:

March - 13–15, 19, 27-28;
April - 9–11, 14, 23-24;
May - 7-8, 12-13, 20-21.

Step-by-step guide on how to plant an apple tree in spring

If your groundwater is below 3 m from the surface, you can plant any variety. If these waters are located 2.5 m from the soil surface, then purchase varieties that have a semi-dwarf rootstock.

If the subsoil waters are even higher, and they are at a depth of up to 1.5 m, then only varieties on dwarf rootstocks are suitable, since the roots of dwarf trees grow only 1 m deep.

Watch how to plant an apple tree in the spring - a video from experienced gardeners:

How to prepare a hole for planting and what depth?

It is required to make a hole depending on the structure of the soil and its preparation, as well as the size of the tree:

If the soil is fertile, black soil and the soil has been dug deep, then the planting hole can be dug small, as long as the roots are placed in it. Make the hole 35 cm deep and 45 cm wide.
If the soil is heavy , then make a larger hole; it should be 0.7 m deep and 1 m wide.
If the subsoil in the garden is rocky and the ground is not improved , then dig a hole 0.9 m deep and 1.2 m wide.

dig holes in the fall for planting seedlings .

How to fertilize?

The bottom layer of soil is placed next to the planting hole. Then it is mixed with 100 g of potassium sulfate, 20 kg of humus, 500 g of superphosphate. A mound is poured into the hole.

Planting an apple tree in the ground.

Planting an apple tree with a closed root system

Buy healthy apple trees; they should hold tightly to the earth.
Make a depression on the mound in the hole, the size of which should match the volume of the pot. Water the hole and seedling thoroughly .
Turn the pot upside down, hold the tree so that the soil does not spill down, carefully remove the pot by placing your fingers in the holes in the bottom.
Place the apple tree in the hole so that the level of the earth ball is 2-3 cm higher or at the same level with the surface of the earth, so that the root collar is positioned correctly.
If your root collar is too deep in the soil, the apple tree will not grow well, but if the planting is very shallow, the roots will dry out. Place a wooden stick across the hole, the root collar should be 4-5 cm above the stick .
Insert a stake into the ground so as not to damage the roots.
Fill the free space with soil, watering the soil a little. Tamp down the ground somewhat.
Tie the apple tree to the stake.

Planting trees with a closed root system

Is it necessary to prune and planting features of an annual apple tree?

Apple trees are usually planted when they are two years old. An annual apple tree usually does not have side branches, so it needs to be pruned after planting.

Advice! If you planted an annual seedling, then after planting, measure it in height 70 cm from the ground level, count 5 well-developed buds and trim the apple tree higher.

Features of watering

Make a hole around the seedling with a diameter slightly larger than the size of the hole and water it. You can pour 5 buckets of water under one seedling.

Then you can mulch the ground with humus or rotted sawdust.

Planting a seedling with an open root system

Examine the apple tree, trim off damaged branches and roots. Place the seedling in water for 2 hours. Mix 1 part root with 1 part ash. Dust the roots with the mixture before planting. Do this with gloves .
Place a board on the hole and mark the edges and center on it. Drive a stake (1.4 m) into the very center of the hole so that 0.7 m of it is below the surface of the earth, and 0.7 m of the stake is above.
Pour the top most fertile soil with fertilizer into the hole. Place the seedling, carefully straightening the roots. To prevent the tree from being damaged by the sun, place it to the north of the stake. The root collar should be located 4-5 cm above ground level.
Then add less fertile soil, shaking the seedling so that there are no voids. Compact the soil slightly.

See tips on how to plant an apple tree in the spring. A video from experienced gardeners will help you figure it out:

Transplanting an apple tree to a new location in spring

Many gardeners are faced with the need to transplant apple trees to a new location. The reasons may be different:

poor choice of initial landing site;
planting a spontaneously grown seedling for grafting and further cultivation;
the need to free up space for construction;
flooding and associated rotting of the root system;
an overgrown tree shades other plantings and thickens the garden.

These reasons may determine the need to replant both young and mature trees. Transplantation rules depend on the age of the apple tree.

Selecting the transplant date

Gardeners call spring, autumn, and even winter (for mature trees) as the time for replanting apple trees. But experience shows that the most suitable time for this procedure is spring. The fact is that to carry out, for example, an autumn transplant, a coincidence of several factors is required:

all the leaves should fall from the tree (or they should be torn off);
the soil must be moist and the air temperature at least +5 oC;
the transplantation process should be completed 2-3 weeks before the onset of frost.

In the spring, plants, as a rule, more easily tolerate the “moving” to a new place, but it must be done before the buds open.

Soil preparation

As for planting seedlings, pits for transplanted apple trees are prepared in advance. For spring transplantation - from autumn. For young trees up to three years old, the dimensions of the planting hole are taken according to the recommendations for primary planting. When transplanting mature trees, the size of the hole depends on the earthen ball on the root system. The diameter of the pit should be slightly larger than the diameter of the coma, and the depth should be 1.5 times its height. Before planting a tree, the hole must be cleared of weeds, leaves and other debris that have accumulated over the winter. Then add organic and mineral fertilizers (0.25 kg of superphosphate, 0.5 kg of ash), lime (if acidity reduction is required), and sand. The amount of nutrient mixture should be sufficient to fill the hole to 1/3 of the depth. Then pour at least 10 liters of water into the hole.

Before transplanting into the apple tree pit, it is recommended to add organic and mineral fertilizers.

When planting on heavy soils, the bottom of the hole must be covered with a layer of drainage material (expanded clay, gravel, broken brick).

Basic rules for transplanting apple trees

To ensure the success of transplanting an apple tree, you need to remember a number of rules:

Trees no older than 15 years can be transplanted. The exception is apple trees on a dwarf rootstock - they can be replanted at a later age.
Do not attempt to replant trees with a broken trunk.
When transporting a tree to a new location, you need to protect the roots and branches from damage.
It is necessary to adhere to the recommended time frame for transplantation.
During the first year after transplantation, pruning and growth control are necessary.

When digging up a tree, it is useful to remember that the size of the root system is approximately equal to the size of the crown, so you need to dig out the roots along the perimeter of the crown. It is necessary to extract the roots with a lump of earth. To make the work easier, the soil must be watered first.

Young trees under three years of age do not pose a big problem for digging up. In extreme cases, their roots can be extracted without an earthen clod. The digging depth is 50–60 cm. Having dug to this depth with a shovel, the roots of the young apple tree are picked up with a pitchfork and the tree is removed.

Transplanting young trees is not a problem even for a novice gardener

The situation is much more complicated with mature trees. First, they dig a trench 1 m deep in a circle. The roots extending outside the trench are cut off with a sharp shovel. Then they dig up the base of the earthen clod and remove the tree. For apple trees 7–10 years old, the diameter of the earthen ball should be at least 1.5 m, and for apple trees 11–15 years old - 2 m. You need to think about this in advance, because it is difficult for one person to cope with transplanting a large tree.

If, during digging, part of the roots broke or rotten areas were discovered, they must be removed to healthy tissue.

Transportation

Depending on the distance to which the excavated tree needs to be moved, different transportation techniques are required. Young apple trees can be carried a short distance using two shovels. Larger trees can be placed on burlap and dragged. If the plant needs to be transported over a long distance, the roots with a ball of earth are placed in a bag (or wrapped in a tarpaulin) and tied. If a young tree is dug up without an earthen ball, its roots are placed in a bag and wet sawdust is poured there.

Features of transplanting trees of different ages

Its ability to tolerate replanting depends on the age of the tree. The general rule: branches need to be shortened after replanting - this will reduce the load on the root system, and the trunk should be wrapped in thick fabric to reduce moisture loss. Watering the tree and mulching the tree trunk circle is carried out immediately after transplantation. Repeated watering is carried out once a week.

Transplanting annual trees

Annual seedlings are rarely sold, so you can most often encounter transplanting them if you plant wild seedlings on your site. It must be said that such young trees are the easiest to tolerate transplantation and easily recover from damage. Since digging up an annual tree is not difficult, it can be done immediately before planting in a new place. But you can dig it up in the fall (late September-early October), and leave it buried for the winter. Before planting, the root is cut by 1/3 so that the plant quickly produces new young roots.

Transplanting 2–3 year old trees

2-3 year old apple trees already have a fairly developed root system and still retain a high ability to regenerate, so the survival rate of such trees is very high. When digging up a tree, try to keep the earth ball on the roots and not damage the absorbent small roots (which are light in color). It is best to drag the apple tree on a piece of burlap or plywood. Plant according to the general rules for seedlings, leaving the root collar above the soil surface. When pruning, one-year growth is removed.

Video: replanting a two-year-old apple tree

Replanting trees older than 4 years

Trees from 4–5 years of age are already quite large, so it will not be possible to cope with the transplant alone. The rules for replanting generally remain the same as for younger trees. Large side branches need to be pulled with twine to the trunk. Considering that the earthen ball is large and heavy, to lift it from the hole you will need a long and strong board, which is used as a lever. When the earthen ball is removed from the hole, you need to cut off all the roots protruding from it. After planting in a new place, the tree must be fixed between 4 stakes. Trim 2-3 year old growth from the branches.

The pit for transplantation must correspond to the size of the earthen clod

Replanting trees older than 10 years

The rules for replanting are generally the same as for trees 4–10 years old, but there are also some peculiarities. Trees of such advanced age already have a very large crown. In order not to damage the branches, they need to be tied to the trunk and the crown should be wrapped (if possible) with thick fabric. Only after this they begin to dig around the tree trunk. The extracted earthen lump must be immediately wrapped in a tarpaulin and moved to a new location. If the transportation distance is long, the lump needs to be sheathed with slats. To prevent the tree from leaning in its new location, it is fixed using guy ropes tied to pegs. It is advisable to cover the tree trunk with mulch (peat or humus) and tie it with roofing felt. The tree must be pruned, removing 3–5 years of growth.

Features of planting in frost

Try to plant the apple tree outside of frost. But after planting, frosts can occur at any time in the spring; this must be expected.

There are 2 methods of frost protection :

Water protection . If the Hydrometeorological Center reported that there will be frosts at night, then they advise spraying the trees with water from a hose, and even better if the spraying from the hose lasts all night. Trees should not be protected in windy conditions in this manner, as this will have the opposite effect;
Smoke protection . First, stick a stake into the soil, place sawdust, peat, and fallen leaves near it. Before frost, remove the stake and set the pile on fire. Then the smoke will come through the hole left by the stake.

Preparation of seedlings and pits

For planting, choose a two-year-old tree 60–70 cm high with at least 3 shoots .
Annual seedlings are also used, but they take root only if they are sufficiently developed. The root system of a regular plant has 3 branches 30–35 cm long or more. The future crown of the plants selected for planting is formed . Using a sharp knife or pruning shears, cut off the top of the tree, removing a few buds (side branches will grow from them). The buds that look up are removed. Leave 5-6 healthy buds, looking sideways and spaced evenly along the length of the seedling. These will form skeletal branches.

Immediately before planting, the seedlings are placed in water for a day.

Important! The vast majority of apple trees require another variety growing nearby for pollination. And although some plants self-pollinate, they all produce more fruit when next to another tree. In this case, apple trees must bloom at the same time in order to pollinate each other.

Planting pit

The hole is dug 1-2 weeks before planting . The diameter of the hole for tall and medium-growing varieties is 90–100 cm, the depth is 60–70 cm, for dwarf varieties it is 90 and 50 cm, respectively. When digging a hole, the top fertile layer of soil is set aside. If the soil is clayey, add sand (2:1); if sandy, add humus and peat (2:1:1).

Attention! A properly prepared planting hole provides the tree with nutrients for several years. Therefore, even for small annual seedlings, they dig a large hole.

The bottom of the dug hole is loosened by 20–30 cm and filled with a mixture of top fertile soil layer , humus, peat, compost (1:1 ratio) and mineral fertilizers (6 handfuls of superphosphate and 1 handful of potassium sulfate). The hole is filled with soil up to a height of 15–20 cm, leaving a reserve for soil shrinkage. If the soil is dry, water it with water.

Apple tree care

If you see aphids on an apple tree , then treat the leaves with a soap solution, adding 50 g to a bucket of water.
Don't let weeds grow, pull them out.
added fertilizers when digging the ground , then you do not need to feed the tree for 2-3 years.
If no fertilizer was added , then sprinkle evenly over 1 m²: 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 20 g of potassium salt, 55 g of superphosphate and 3 kg of humus. Afterwards, bury them in the area of the trunk circle by 10 cm; it is not recommended to dig deeper, as you will damage the roots. Fertilizers can be buried 20 cm further from the tree trunk circle.
Nutrients are added in the spring, before the buds begin to bloom, or in the fall after the apple tree has finished growing. They are introduced at a distance of up to 1.5 from the trunk. After 2-3 years, repeat the application of fertilizers.
Be sure to regularly water the apple trees.
If the apple tree is older than 3 years and the diameter of its crown is more than 3 m, then you need to step back 1.5 m from the tree trunk and dig a groove around the perimeter, making a mound of earth on the outside to a height of 20 cm. You need to pour 40 buckets of water into the ground so that the ground was wet to 60 cm. It is recommended to do such watering every month.

IMPORTANT! If the diameter of the crown is 1-2 m, then dig a groove around the perimeter at this distance and pour 3-4 buckets of water into it. Then the moisture will penetrate to a depth of 40 cm, which is what is required for wood. Before watering, loosen the soil around the tree shallowly.

Suitable location on the site

Where to plant an apple tree on the site? The right location determines the growing conditions that affect the health of the plant, life expectancy and productivity.

Basic requirements for a place to plant an apple tree:

good lighting;
air circulation;
absence of drafts;
protection from winds.

Planting in partial shade can cause low yields and stretch apple trees in height. In addition, such conditions contribute to the formation of dampness, which stimulates the development of various diseases.

Wetlands and places with close groundwater (less than 2 m) are not suitable The ideal option would be a place located on a southern, southwestern or southeastern slope.

Soil Features

Full growth and fruiting of an apple tree is possible only in soil with the following characteristics:

porosity and looseness of the structure;
the ability to absorb moisture well and retain it for a long time;
acidity pH 5.1-7.5;
absence of salinity, as well as chloride and sulfate salinity;
total carbonate content – up to 15%.

Sandy loam, loamy and chernozem soils meet these requirements.

Apple tree planting scheme

Apple trees are planted as single trees or in groups, taking into account the distance from each seedling to household buildings and nearest neighbors. For low-growing varieties characterized by a small crown, this interval should be at least 4 m .

The planting of an apple orchard is carried out according to a certain scheme, depending on the varieties of fruit crops. According to experts, it is best to do this in rows in a checkerboard pattern, observing the distance rules (the distance between apple trees when planting):

for tall varieties with a massive crown - 6-7 m ;
for columnar ones - 1-1.5 m .

Important! Sufficient spacing between apple trees reduces the risk of disease and pest damage.

Apple tree planting distance from the fence

The distance between planted trees and neighboring fences is regulated by the charters of gardening cooperatives and partnerships or local authorities. Typically this indicator depends on the crop variety:

for tall varieties of apple trees, the distance to the fence is from 4 m;
for short people – from 2 m.

Planting seedlings in place of old apple trees

It is unacceptable to plant young trees where old crops grow .

This is due to the depletion of the soil and the accumulation in it of an excess of specific inhibitors secreted by the root system of the old apple tree. In addition, such areas are affected by harmful microorganisms and insects.

Desirable and Undesirable Neighbors

Provided the correct planting pattern is followed, many types of garden crops can be grown near a fruit tree. What you can plant an apple tree next to, and what plants next to it is not recommended, is indicated in the table.

Suitable neighbors for the apple tree	Unwanted neighbors of the apple tree
pear plum cherry quince	pine nut viburnum thuja sea buckthorn spruce elder

Features of planting in soil with close groundwater

You can understand that groundwater is close to your site if you grow: horse sorrel, cattail, coltsfoot, and sedge.
Ordinary apple trees require groundwater to be located at a level no higher than 2 m from the surface.
If your groundwater is higher, then you can plant dwarf apple trees .
If you nevertheless purchased ordinary apple trees, make hills on which the apple trees are planted.

1 method

In the garden, choose a place with an area of 2 m on a hill or fill it artificially, dig it up with a shovel.
Make a box from the boards that is 0.8 m high and 1 m wide. Sprinkle the fertilizer required for planting the apple tree over the area and inside the box, and pour fertile soil on top. Plant a seedling in a box, compact the soil, and water it with water.
A tree growing in a box is watered more often than usual, and the root system is covered for the winter.

Landing on earthen mounds.

Method 2

Dig a hole with a depth and diameter of 70 cm. Concrete the bottom with cement. Sprinkle fertile soil mixed with fertilizers onto the cement.
Plant a seedling and water it. Make a support in the form of iron reinforcement .
When the roots of the apple tree reach the concrete, they will begin to grow to the sides and grow side shoots, that is, the root system will not come into contact with water and will not rot.

Landing

A peg is driven in near the center of the planting hole. It's better to make a small hill inside. A seedling is placed on it, carefully straightening the roots. They dig in, you can lightly compact the soil.

If you prepared the planting hole in the spring, then the root collar of the tree should be a couple of centimeters above the soil level, because the earth will settle over time. In the holes that were prepared in the fall, you can place the root collar flush with the ground or slightly higher.

After planting, the seedlings are watered. Planting apple trees with seedlings in the spring should be done very quickly. It is better to find an assistant who will hold the tree trunk.

Features of planting seedlings in different types of soil and appropriate fertilizers

Standard holes for an ordinary apple tree should have a diameter of 1 m and a depth of 0.6 m.

ADVICE! If you have clay soil, then make the holes wider and less deep. If you have sandy soil, then the hole is dug a little narrower and a little deeper.

In clay soils

When preparing the land for a year of placing seedlings in it, scatter over an area of 1 m² - 15 kg of sawdust, 15 kg of humus, 0.5 kg of slaked lime. Add 50 kg of sand, as well as 150 g of complex fertilizer. Next, deepen the fertilizer by digging the soil 0.5 m deep.

To improve the soil structure , sow green manure, do not let them form buds, mow them before this time, then, when digging, embed them in the ground.

When you dig a hole, make drainage from branches or stones .

In peat

If you have high-moor peat, then the acidity of the soil is increased and you need to pour lime into the ground: dolomite flour, chalk.

To enrich the soil, add 2 kg of ready-made compost, 150 g of superphosphate, 200 g of phosphate rock, 50 g of potassium sulfate per 1 m² of soil.
Then apply fertilizer to a depth of 25 cm by digging up the soil.
Plant apple trees after you have green manure growing in the area and you have mowed them.

In sandy soils

Prepare the soil a year before planting seedlings , spread 15 kg of humus, 0.5-0.7 kg of lime, 70 g of superphosphate and 40 g of potassium over an area of 1 m². Add 50 kg of clay per 1 m² to such soil. Apply fertilizer to a depth of 50 cm.

Also sow green manure, mow them and you can start planting seedlings.

Place clay or silt at the bottom of the hole.

Proper planting in sandy soil.

Significant dates of the Lunar calendar – 2022

Annual apple tree seedlings

For many decades, the lunar calendar has been enabling gardeners to accurately determine favorable days for planting a particular crop on their own plot. In 2022, several periods are allocated for planting apple trees. In April this is the period from the 11th to the 17th and from the 21st to the 26th. However, every gardener understands that it is not always possible to get to the summer cottage and plant at the specified time. In this case, do not be upset; you can plant an apple tree in the spring on any day, the main thing is not to fall on unfavorable days.

There are very few of them, and they are divided by month:

in March it is the 6th, 7th and 21st;
in April - 5th and 19th;
in May also on the 5th and 19th;
in June - on the 3rd, 4th and 17th.

To get a healthy tree and a rich harvest in the future, you need to take these unfavorable days into account and not plant during this period. On other days, planting is possible, and by doing it on dates favorable according to the Lunar calendar, the gardener will receive a rich and healthy tree in the shortest possible time.

Features of planting columnar apple trees

Prepare planting holes in the fall.

The planting hole should have a size of 50x50 cm, place the top layer of soil on polyethylene, add 4 kg of humus, 2 tbsp. spoons of superphosphate and 2 tbsp. spoons of potassium, mix.

If the soil is acidic , then add 50 g of dolomite flour. Cover the hole and excavated soil to prevent rain from washing it away.

There should be no leaves on the trunk of the seedling when planting , and the rhizomes should be moist. Therefore, you can immerse the roots in warm water for 10 hours. You can trim the secondary roots a little, then they will absorb water faster.

Watch a video about planting columnar apple trees:

Restore the original shape of the hole, add a mound, place a seedling, straighten the roots, then add soil.

When planted correctly, the root collar should be 5 cm above the soil surface. Then pour 2 buckets of water under the apple tree and mulch. Drive in a trellis and tie the apple tree.

Planting an apple tree with an open root system

When planting a tree in the spring, prepare a place for it in the fall. If you did not have time to prepare the planting site earlier, do this at least a week before planting. If you purchased planting material somewhere far away or it was sent to you by mail, be sure to soak the tree for 6 hours in water before planting, possibly with the addition of Kornevin or other growth stimulants.

Landing place

To do this, dig a hole measuring 50x50 cm and about 50-60 cm deep. Pour water into the hole and leave it until the soil settles. After a week, add humus, compost, vermiculite or perlite if desired, and dig everything up again.

Stick a stick or iron rod into the hole and later tie the plant to it.

Landing

Make a hole in the hole approximately the height of the root system. Experienced gardeners advise burying the seedling to the root collar - the place where its roots begin. Do not confuse the root collar with the grafting site. Do not bury the grafting site into the soil under any circumstances. The higher the scion, the faster the tree bears fruit.

Having installed the tree in the hole, straighten its roots and cover it with soil.

Lightly compact the soil and water the trunk circle generously so that there are no voids left in the soil.

After planting, tie the tree to a stake. Without leaves, the tree seems to be stable, but as soon as foliage appears, the rising wind will shake it and tear the roots. Tie the tree with a soft ribbon in the shape of a figure eight.

Tree pruning

If the seedling does not have side branches, then the top of the tree is cut off. To make lateral (skeletal) branches appear, cut the stem to 1/3 of the height. Make an oblique cut above the bud, and cover the cut area with garden varnish or plasticine.

Features of planting dwarf apple trees

If the apple tree is grafted, then there is a bulge at the junction of the root and the trunk. A seedling that is 2 years old should have a trunk up to 50 cm high and 4-7 branches.

Attention! The branches on top should have large buds and many small roots. The branches should be healthy and the bark dry.

After purchasing, wrap the roots in a damp cloth and tie them with a plastic bag. If you cannot plant a seedling immediately, then bury it in moist soil so that its roots do not dry out.

Planting dwarf trees is similar to planting ordinary varieties of apple trees, but there are differences. You should plant an apple tree in black soil, but if the soil is not very fertile, then dig a hole 1.5 m deep and 1 m wide, into which you place the fertile soil.

Choose a sunny and windless location for planting.
If the roots have dried out, then put the roots in water for a day. Make a hole 0.5 m deep and 0.7 m in diameter. Place the top layer of earth on the film.
Place a bucket of humus at the bottom , then the top deposited layer of soil, add 2-3 buckets of water. Then place the seedling so that the grafting site rises 2-3 cm above the ground.
Fill the apple tree with the remaining soil, compact the soil, make a tree trunk 10 cm high and 65 cm in diameter. Mulch with humus.
Tie the seedling to 3 stakes , then the apple tree will grow straight. This is required because the dwarf apple tree has small roots that cannot hold it in the wind.
It is necessary to plant so as not to bury the grafting site, otherwise the apple tree will lose dwarfism. If you nevertheless deepen the grafting site by 5 cm, then remove the excess soil.
If you buried more, then lift the apple tree and add earth down.

How to choose the right seedlings when purchasing

To avoid mistakes, pay attention to the following points when purchasing.

There should be no rot or hollows at the grafting site. The scion must grow well, otherwise the plant will die later;
The root system must be well developed. The older the tree, the more roots it has;

In a seedling, the main thing is a healthy root system; the quality of the trunk is not so important. It is better to buy a plant with a large root and a small above-ground part than vice versa.

Many fruit trees require pollinator trees with a similar flowering period to increase yield. This means that instead of one, you may need to buy 2 seedlings of different varieties.

Ask the seller to attach a tag with the name of the variety. When you get home, change the tag to a plastic one so that it doesn’t deteriorate longer and the inscription doesn’t wash off.

What kind of apple tree seedlings are sold?

Apple trees are sold with open and closed root systems. Bare-root plants are dug out of the soil immediately before sale and packaged for transportation. The advantage of such a purchase is the opportunity to inspect the condition of the roots. Having purchased one, the seedling must be planted in the ground as soon as possible or soaked in water.

Plants with a closed root system are sold in the containers in which they were grown. In this case, it will not be possible to evaluate the root. But the plants can be planted in a permanent place at any time.

At what distance are seedlings planted?

vigorous apple trees so that there is a distance of 4-5 m between the trees, and 6 m between the rows. If you plant low-growing varieties, then between the rows - 4.5-5 m, and between the apple trees - 3-3.5 m.

dwarf apple trees at a distance of 2.5 m between them, and 4 m between rows.

Columnar apple trees , as a rule, are planted in 1 row: dwarf at 0.6 m, semi-dwarf and vigorous at 1.2 m.

Distance between crops on the site.

Preparing the apple tree planting site

For planting, dig a hole, its size depends on the quality of the soil:

On fertile soil, it is enough to dig a hole measuring 40x40 cm and 35 cm deep;
If the soil is heavy, then the pit dimensions are 70x70 cm and 1 meter deep;
On clay soil or when there is a lot of rubble and stones in the ground, a hole is dug 90x90 cm in size and a little more than a meter deep.

The soil selected from the pit is divided into 2 parts: top and root, they are cleared of weeds. Humus, rotted manure, compost, 1 liter of wood ash or complex mineral fertilizers for fruit trees are added to the root soil. Mix everything and pour it back into the hole. Water generously. The apple tree is planted no earlier than after 1-2 weeks.

After planting the tree, the top layer of soil is covered under the roots.

How to replant an adult apple tree

When planting an apple orchard, you should plan in advance the location of the fruit trees so that they are sufficiently distant from the buildings, do not shade each other, and their replanting is not required in the future. However, when the garden thickens or outbuildings are erected on the site, it may be necessary to transplant the apple tree to another place. It is better not to touch old trees; plants no older than 6 years are suitable for replanting.

In early spring, before the beginning of the growing season, or in autumn, after leaf fall, the apple tree is dug up within a radius of 80 cm; some of the roots located at a greater distance from the trunk can be cut off. However, you cannot deprive it of a significant part of the root system - this will inevitably lead to drying out, and a strong wind can tear it out and knock it over.

The apple tree with a large lump of earth (so as not to damage the roots) is carefully transferred to a new place

Transplantation process

The dug up tree with a lump of earth is transferred to a new planting site.
A hole is dug with a larger diameter - 1 m, so that the entire root system of the tree fits and there is free space left.
The fertile layer of soil is mixed with 2 buckets of humus, part of the hole is filled with it and the tree is placed.
Cover with a 10-centimeter layer of earth, compact and fill again.
Fill the hole with soil layer by layer and compact it each time, which will allow you to securely secure the tree.

After planting, the apple tree is watered generously with 5–6 buckets of water. Then cover the root zone with a layer of hay, straw or humus. Organic mulch makes the soil loose, fills it with nutrients, retains moisture during the growing season and protects the root system from freezing in winter.

Video: how to dig up a tree for transportation

Further care

Caring for apple trees after planting consists of regular watering, mulching the top layer of soil, and protection from pests and frost in winter.

Watering

Young trees require more moisture than mature trees with a well-developed root system. Therefore, regular watering is the key to the survival of a seedling in a new place. The frequency of watering is affected by the type of soil: clay soils are watered less frequently, but more abundantly, than sandy soils.

The first watering is carried out immediately after planting . The soil is moistened to a depth of 40 cm to eliminate air pockets and ensure soil density. After this, the seedlings are watered abundantly 2 times every 7 days for the first few weeks until the root system takes root.

Important! Overmoistening of the soil is detrimental to young trees. Watering too frequently will cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off.

If the top 5–10 cm of the soil is dry, then it’s time to water the apple trees . A small stream of water from a garden hose left in the root zone for several hours is preferable to watering from a bucket.

Mulching

After water is absorbed into the hole within a radius of 0.5 m, the soil is mulched with a thin layer of humus or peat chips. The purpose of this procedure is to prevent moisture evaporation and inhibit the growth of weeds.

In autumn, after the soil freezes, the mulch layer is increased to protect the root system from freezing.

Protection from frost, diseases and pests

In addition to insulating the root system, in regions with frosty winters young trees are tied with spruce branches , paper, etc. to protect the bark from frost and sunburn in early spring.

Apple trees are susceptible to pests and diseases. Keeping the area around the tree clean by removing weeds and clearing plant debris reduces the risk of disease and insects.