What can you plant under an apple tree?

Many summer residents want to fill the free space under the apple tree that grows in the country. It can really be planted with cultivated plants or decorated with beautiful flowers. However, not all plants are suitable for planting in such places. In this article, we will figure out what is better to sow under an apple tree.

The free land under the tree that grows on the site can be used as an extension of the garden. This will allow us to reclaim land from weeds, which often carry harmful insects and various diseases, and will also be beneficial. However, it is important to take into account some of the nuances here.

So, the apple tree gives a lot of shade, which means the vegetables planted nearby should be shade-loving. It is also important to consider that the roots of this tree significantly affect the earth, namely, its composition, structure and moisture.

Potatoes, in turn, will block the assimilation of nitrogen by the tree, releasing special substances into the soil. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully approach the choice of plantings that you plan to place under the tree.

So, such cultural plantings will develop well under a tree:

• parsley and celery;
• wild garlic;
• sorrel;
• Melissa;
• mint;
• spinach;
• onion;
• rhubarb;
• salad.

Some people especially recommend sowing winter garlic next to the apple tree. This will bring you, and the apple tree, and the plant a huge benefit: garlic will provide the apple tree with protection from harmful animals, which will be frightened by a specific aroma. The garlic heads themselves in the shade will form better and larger.

Plants belonging to the pumpkin family also coexist well with the apple tree in the garden. Their roots are superficial and do not compete with the root system of the apple tree, while the plants protect the soil and the tree trunk well from weeds. But it should be borne in mind that some plants of the pumpkin family are very fond of light. Among them are melons, watermelons, zucchini and pumpkins. Accordingly, they should be planted next to the apple tree only in places of gaps, otherwise you risk being dissatisfied with the harvest.

Tomatoes are also recommended for planting next to apple trees. Tomatoes are able to protect the tree from the apple moth.

Herbs and flowers are often chosen if they want to decorate the garden beautifully and get a well-groomed and beautiful lawn that is suitable for relaxation.... At the same time, the lawn under the apple tree is suitable not only for relaxation and aesthetics, but also will be useful. It will be able to provide the soil with protection from weeds, help to retain water in the soil, increase the air permeability of the soil, improve the composition of the soil, eliminate the possibility of damage to the roots of the apple tree, and protect fallen apples from damage and dirt.

So, among the herbs, it is recommended to plant the following plants:

• white creeping clover;
• meadow mint;
• sheep fescue;
• escaping bent field;
• red fescue.

Separately, it should be said that some of the plants are also excellent honey plants that can attract bees. They will better pollinate the tree, which will subsequently have a positive effect on the fruiting of the tree.

If we talk about flowers, then many of them will also feel good under the apple tree crown. However, there are some exceptions. So, it is not worth planting roses under such a tree, since the glycoside phlorizin secreted by the apple tree will have a detrimental effect on these flowers. However, there are still specimens that can be planted under an apple tree, among them:

• muscari;
• daffodils;
• forget-me-nots;
• irises;
• crocuses;
• hosts;
• tulips;
• lungwort;
• day-lily;
• swimsuit;
• pansies;
• bells;
• asters;
• aquilegia;
• astilbe;
• brunners;
• balsams.

The same can be said for lilies of the valley, which, moreover, will create tall thickets, which will subsequently complicate the search for fallen apples.

If you want the flowers under the apple tree to serve not only as decoration, but also to be useful, then in this case you can plant marigoldable to protect against fungus, calendulaattracting ladybirds nasturtiumthat scare off parasites and retain water in the ground.

It is worth mentioning about other plants as well. So, do not plant golden currants under the apple tree. It will have a detrimental effect on the apple tree, forming powerful and tall bushes. But there is still controversy about black currant. Some believe that such a bush will have a detrimental effect on the tree, while others, on the contrary, talk about their positive experience.

But you can plant strawberries and strawberries next to the apple tree, since their roots will not compete with the apple tree root system. However, it is necessary to plant these plants where there is no shade from the crown. Strawberries and strawberries are very fond of light, its lack will significantly affect the berries: they will ripen longer and lose their taste.

But you should not plant grapes under an apple tree. The roots of this plant will not compete with the root system of the apple tree, as they go deep down. However, the vine needs a lot of light.

It is worth saying and about conifers small size. Many of them can be planted under an apple tree, and it will look very impressive.

When filling the tree trunk circle of the apple tree, do not forget that the plants you are planting must have small roots.

Usually, pome and stone fruit plants do not really get along with the apple tree.

If the lower branches of the tree do not bear fruit, then it is best to eliminate them so that they do not interfere with the growth of other cultivated plants.

Before planting certain plants under the apple tree, think carefully about whether they will subsequently interfere with harvesting.