Experienced gardeners and especially beginners often ask themselves the question: when is it better to plant tree seedlings - in autumn or spring?
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Each season has its own benefits. But still, they often give preference to the autumn months:
- during this period, the price of fruit trees is much lower than in spring;
- this time of the year has more stable weather - September with its Indian summer slowly flows into rainy October, which contributes to the better "survival" of seedlings;
- gardeners have more time than in spring, and you can start feeding new "tenants" in the garden and follow more closely how the seedling takes root.
Favorable period
Planting time depends on several factors:
- region of residence;
- weather;
- type of soil.
The traditional planting period is from mid-September to early October. For the southern regions of Russia - until the end of November.
When buying a seedling, pay attention to the following:
- It should be free of buds and leaves. During this period of dormancy, the seedling is, as it were, in hibernation and is ready for transplantation to a new place. In the fall, kidneys are useless, this is an extra waste of energy. And the presence of leaves indicates that the tree is in the growing season, which means that it is ready to grow. In the fall, this is also useless. Autumn is preparation for wintering, and every plant must have the strength to do this: one must be able to survive the winter with its cold weather and temperature changes.
- It is necessary to plant seedlings 2-3 weeks before setting freezing temperatures. Check the weather forecast and get your bearings. This time is enough for the plant to take root in a new place and prepare for wintering.
What to plant in autumn?
In autumn, seedlings of the following trees take root better:
- winter-hardy apple and pear trees;
- berry bushes.
Please note the age of the seedling before buying. Optimally, if he is 1–2 years old.
You shouldn't buy seedlings:
- Southern regions or thermophilic varieties - they will not have time to take root well in the fall. These trees are best planted in spring.
- Stone fruit seedlings (plums, cherries, cherry plums, blackthorns) - they are more demanding for heat, and in the fall they simply will not have enough time to get all the nutrients from the soil and keep them until spring. Residents of the southern regions can plant any crops in the fall. Their long, rather warm autumn will give the plants everything they need.
- Seedlings that do not tolerate transplantation - sea buckthorn, raspberries, etc.
Landing site preparation
Site preparation time - from 2 weeks to 2 months. Preferably on the sunny side, the distance from the nearest planting should be at least 1.5 m. Keep in mind that the plant will grow.
The planting hole for trees is approximately 1 m in diameter and the same depth. Less is allowed for shrubs. Pay attention to the root system, it should freely enter the hole.
Set the top layer of earth aside and cover. Dig a hole and fill it with humus. Leave this way until planting.
Before planting, loosen the soil inside the hole, water well. After planting, sprinkle with the remaining earth and put the top layer of earth on top. Then spill well again with warm water.
Autumn feeding
Organic fertilizers:
mix manure and ash at the rate of 1: 2.
Mineral fertilizers:
superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Follow the instructions carefully.
These types of fertilizers can be mixed - add superphosphate to manure and ash.
If the planting dates are missed, and the seedling has already been purchased, then you can save it until spring. Dig in (the roots are laid in the hole, the seedling itself is lying down, branches to the south). Seedlings in a pit or basement tolerate winter well (the roots must be well wrapped and sometimes watered). And the snow can serve as a good storage room for the seedling (remove all the leaves and cut the branches shorter, dig into the hole and cover it well with snow).
Correct planting of a seedling in the fall will give its results - a young tree will come to life a couple of weeks earlier than the rest.
Do you know when is the best time to plant seedlings?
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