When is the best time to plant apple trees?

The survival rate of apple trees depends on many factors, including the chosen planting time. In order for the tree to hurt less, it is necessary to determine this criterion, and also provide it with favorable conditions for development. The planting period will vary from region to region due to weather conditions.

To prevent the apple tree from dying in a new place after planting, a number of conditions must be observed. So, the ability of a tree to take root is influenced by the variety, type of soil, as well as weather conditions and the time of planting. It is very important to choose the right seedling.

• In most cases, apple seedlings are sold with bare roots. But you can buy with a closed root system. This option costs 2-3 times more, but the survival rate is much better.
• It should not be forgotten that the older the seedling, the worse it takes root in a new place. Ideally, the tree should be 1-2 years old.
• The optimum height of the seedling should be between 1 and 1.5 meters.

Success also depends on the soil in which the tree is planted. Ideal conditions: soil with a neutral reaction of the environment, northern area and very well lit.

As mentioned above, the landing dates directly depend on the region. The planting period differs due to climatic conditions, as well as soil characteristics.

• Middle zone of Russia and Moscow region - it is better to plant in the spring, but it can also be planted in the fall when the weather is right (from September to October). Still, there is a risk in the fall, since the apple tree may not survive the low temperatures in winter.
• Southern regions - can be planted in the fall, starting in March. It is also not forbidden to plant in the autumn. The most suitable time frame is from October to November.
• Northern regions, Siberia, Ural, Volga region, Leningrad region - it is better not to plant in autumn, since the probability that the tree will not take root is very high. Better to plant in spring, between early April and mid-May.

But these conditions are not universal for all cases, since even in the northern region, winters can sometimes be quite mild.

It is necessary to start planting in spring as early as possible, just at the time when the soil begins to thaw. It is important to have time to plant at a time when the buds of the trees have not yet swollen (about 2-3 weeks before this phenomenon). High survival rate is one of the main advantages of spring planting. But this period also has disadvantages. The main one is the possible drying out of the roots of a young apple tree. It is important to ensure that direct sunlight does not fall on the seedling, as well as watering in a timely manner.

Another difficulty lies in the short time allocated for planting operations. You should not hesitate with this process. Some gardeners mistakenly wait for the soil to warm up, but it is necessary to plant apple trees when it becomes possible to dig holes in the ground. If you follow these agrotechnical recommendations, then the apple trees will take root well and will easily tolerate winter temperature drops.

Due to the large amount of time, gardeners often choose an autumn planting. It is recommended to start with the onset of abundant leaf fall. It is by this period that the wood ripens in the seedlings. Planting apple trees must be completed no later than 3-4 weeks before the first stable frosts. In autumn, as a rule, frost-resistant varieties are planted. But even such seedlings must be protected from negative effects. To do this, it is recommended to carry out the following activities:

• spud the stem;
• cover the trunk and skeletal branches with non-woven materials;
• cover the trunks with spruce branches or mulch with a thick layer of straw.

Container crops are best suited for summer planting. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that the trees are not grown in the open field, but in special containers filled with soft soil.

Regular watering is especially important for container seedlings. Disembarkation can be carried out between May and July. At the same time, the beginning of the season is accompanied by active vegetation, so the plants need to be watered a lot and often.

During each calendar month, the moon goes through several stages: waning, new moon, growth, full moon and waning again. On the new and full moon, all plants, including apple seedlings, are dormant. It is better not to touch them these days. If you follow the lunar calendar, then all manipulations are recommended to be carried out on a waxing or waning moon. But even during these periods, not all days are suitable.

If we talk about spring planting, then it is better to take out seedlings in open ground on the following days:

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

The rest of the days are considered not entirely favorable, but this does not mean that planting trees on these dates is prohibited. You just need to be prepared for the fact that the tree will hurt after transplantation. The choice of the correct day according to the lunar calendar is very important for the further development of apple seedlings. But even on auspicious days, the tree can die in case of improper care.

It is recommended to add at least 5 kg of humus, 2 teaspoons of nitroammophoska to the dug hole and pour out a bucket of water. After that, the roots of the tree must be lowered into the hole. Then you need to sprinkle it tightly with soil, but do not crumble too actively, since you can damage both the seedling itself and its root system. It is recommended to tie the tree to a support (small wooden peg) to enhance the fixation.

If the landing occurs in the autumn period, then in this case it is also necessary to follow the lunar calendar:

• in September: 14th, 15th, 16th and 23rd;
• the following dates fall on October, which can be considered favorable: 2-5, 14-17, 20-22;
• in November, it is better to plant on the 16th, 18th, 20th or 21st.

It is advisable to finish with disembarkation before the first frost. But if the weather is not very good on favorable dates, you must follow the recommendations. Even slight frosts have a great influence on the development of the root system of apple trees. During the period of the first frost, only frost-resistant varieties can be planted. Watering must be carried out with warm water, and immediately after planting the tree must be insulated and sheltered from the wind. If you follow all the recommendations, follow the lunar calendar, then in 2-3 years you can get the first harvest from the seedlings.