Creating a planting pit and the best time to plant apple trees

Planting an apple tree is not just burying a seedling in the ground. This is, without exaggeration, laying the foundation for a future tree that will delight the harvest for many years to come. And as with the construction of a house, you can not rush here and do something at random. Almost everything depends on how well the planting pit is prepared: whether the tree will take root, how quickly it will start to grow and whether it will hurt.
Many novice gardeners make the same mistake: they dig a hole the size of a seedling's root ball, stick it in there, and wait for a miracle. Miracles, as a rule, do not happen. A tree in such a small space simply has nowhere to grow, it lacks food and air.
Digging right: size matters
The planting pit is not a grave, but a future home for the roots for the first few years. Therefore, it should be spacious. For spring planting, the pit is prepared in autumn, and for autumn — at least 3-4 weeks before planting the seedling. During this time, the earth will settle in it, and the applied fertilizers will start working.
The standard dimensions of an apple tree pit are approximately 80-100 cm in diameter and 60-70 cm deep. Yes, it seems that this is a lot for a small seedling, but such a reserve is needed for future root growth. When digging, it is important to divide the earth into two layers: the upper, fertile (the first 20-30 cm), is deposited in one direction, and the lower, less fertile, in the other. This is useful when refilling the pit.
Nutritious "cocktail": how to fill the pit
An empty pit is a bad start. It needs to be filled with a nutrient mixture that will provide the young tree with everything it needs. To do this, the upper, fertile layer of the earth is mixed with organic and mineral fertilizers. One pit usually takes:
- 2-3 buckets of humus or well-rotted compost.
- 1 cup of superphosphate.
- Half a cup of potassium sulfate or a glass of wood ash.
In no case should fresh manure be used — it can burn the tender roots of the seedling. All this mixture is thoroughly mixed and poured back into the pit, forming a small mound at the bottom. The lower, poor layer of earth can be used to create a cushion around the planting pit.
Spring or autumn: the eternal dispute of gardeners
When is the best time to plant apple trees? This issue is no less controversial than the choice of a variety. In fact, every season has its pros and cons, and the choice often depends on the climate.
Autumn planting (from the end of September to the middle of October) is good because before the onset of frost, the seedling manages to take root, heal the wounds on the roots and in the spring starts growing earlier than its "spring" counterparts. It uses all the winter moisture and tolerates the spring drought better. But there is a risk that a harsh and snowless winter will destroy an immature tree.
Spring planting (before budding) is safer in regions with cold winters. The tree is guaranteed not to freeze out. However, you need to be able to plant it as early as possible, while there is moisture in the soil. With late spring planting, the seedling may not take root well and suffer from heat.
The final touch: the magic of proper landing
When the pit is ready and the time is selected, the planting process itself remains. The seedling is placed on a mound in the pit so that the root neck (the place where the trunk passes into the root) is 5-7 cm above ground level. After filling with earth and watering, it will settle just to the desired level.
The roots are carefully spread out on the sides of the mound, covered with the remaining nutrient mixture, slightly compacting the earth so that there are no voids. Then they are watered abundantly (2-3 buckets of water) and mulch the trunk circle. That's all. The foundation has been laid, and now it remains only to wait for the small seedling to turn into a mighty, fruitful apple tree. diva spin