Planting a peach in autumn may seem like a simple and easy procedure, but in reality it is not. The tree is very moody and sensitive, in addition, the approach of frost can be the main deterrent to farmers. But with a few simple rules, the procedure for planting a peach tree in the fall will be easy and without any problems.
Benefits of Peach Planting in Autumn
Many farmers claim that the ideal time for planting a peach tree is spring. Of course, if a tree is planted in spring, during the summer and autumn it will take root well in a new place, take root and take root, smoothly turning into winter hibernation. At the same time, the tree spends a lot of effort on new branches and growing greenery. As a result, the development of the root system slows down.
One of the main advantages of the autumn planting of fruit crops is that during the winter, the seedlings do not suffer from diseases or insect attacks. The root system is well strengthened, and in the spring it quickly goes into the growing season, the plant begins active growth and development.
But do not forget that when planting too late, the plant simply does not have time to adapt to a new place. As a result, with the onset of cold weather - dies. That is why it is recommended to plant peach seedlings only in those regions where long and warm autumn, and winter is mild and short.
When the first frosts occur in October, planting should be abandoned.
Cons of peach planting in the fall
A serious drawback of planting peach trees in the fall is that it is impossible to set the exact dates. In this case, it is necessary to take into account climatic conditions and carry out a landing long before the start of frosts. It is important that before the winter the seedling has time to take root and undergo preparation for frost.
The perfect time to land
Peach trees can only be planted after they have moved to a dormant period. Choose those varieties that are ideal for growing in a climate specific to your area.
Dates for peach fall in different regions and countries
Around the period from September 5 to September 15, it is recommended to plant trees in the southern territories of Russia, including in the northwestern and northeastern parts of Ukraine. Also, choosing this time, the tree receives enough time to take root before frost.
In the territory of the Krasnodar Territory, Crimea, southern Ukraine, including Transcarpathia, it is recommended to land no later than October 20. If winter comes late, you can postpone the planting to the first half of November, but no later.
In areas with a temperate climate, if the tree does not die in winter and suffers frost, in the first year, most likely, it will not bear fruit. However, this factor is greatly influenced by the regularity and correctness of care. Only those trees that grow in greenhouses and greenhouses will necessarily bear fruit.
Seedling Selection
The success of planting a peach depends on the quality of the planting material. It is strictly forbidden to try to save on trees. In order for the seedling to be of high quality and take root after transplanting, it is worth using the following tips:
- Buy planting material only in nurseries or from experienced suppliers.
- Choose a variety that has been specifically bred for growing in a particular region.
- Inspect the tree carefully so that there is no damage.
- Ideal for planting trees 2 years old.
- The height of the sprout should be about 1 m, the thickness is about 1.4-1.8 cm.
- The seedling should have 4-5 branches and full buds.
- Strong root. Do not buy seedlings with one root, as they may not tolerate the transplant.
- Do not take seedlings that show signs of root rot or wilted leaves.
- The green layer should be under the bark.
Buy trees before you plan to plant. During transportation, be sure to wrap the roots with a moist burlap and wind them in a layer of polyethylene. About 24 hours before the planned planting, place the roots in water.
Experienced gardeners before planting the lower part of the tree trunk is doused with melted paraffin. Such a measure will provide additional protection for the seedling from rodents, cold or sun.
Site selection
When choosing the right place for planting a peach, pay attention to the following recommendations:
- It is unacceptable to plant a tree in damp and in areas where constantly cold drafts. Peach tolerates heat and short periods of drought.
- The southern part of the plot is perfect for planting peaches. It is important that no shadow from other trees, a fence or a house falls on this area. Peach needs a lot of sun, as it begins to bloom before other fruit crops.
- On the north side, it is desirable that the tree be protected by a fence or wall. Provide enough free space, as the peach will grow and form a voluminous crown, so there should not be many trees nearby.
- The lowland is not suitable, since it is in such areas that the waterlogging of the soil occurs and cool air is constantly present.
- Groundwater should not be too close to the surface - at least 1.3-1.6 m. A small hill or hill located on the southeastern or eastern part is ideal.
- It is not recommended to plant a peach tree next to adult fruit crops bearing several seasons, because they will have a negative effect on the young sprout. The area where fruit trees used to grow also does not fit, since the products of their vital activity with pests that can kill a young peach may remain in the soil.
- Do not plant on soils where solanaceous plants with gourds grew. These plants can suffer from a variety of diseases that have a negative effect on the seedling or provoke the development of root rot.
Landing pit and soil preparation
Prepare the site, starting with its cleaning - remove all stones and other debris, including fallen leaves, weed, removing the remaining roots and weeds. Do this about 2 months before the intended tree planting. Be sure to dig the earth several times, as this simple procedure allows you to saturate the soil with oxygen.
It is recommended to sow the plot in advance with grain crops or perennial grasses, adding various top dressings to the ground. Do this a few years before planting a peach. This procedure will fill the earth with valuable substances with minerals, eliminate various harmful elements of decay by vital plants of other plants.
If you plant a peach on chernozem, no additional fertilizer is required. In other cases, pour 2 buckets of rotted humus on the bottom of the pit for planting, which you must mix with a small amount of black soil in advance. You can use this combination:
- rotted manure - 9 kg;
- potash fertilizers - 60 g;
- ammonium nitrate - 85 g;
- superphosphates - 145 g;
- the top layer of soil that was taken out of the landing pit.
Then add some ash to the tree and cover with a layer of black soil (at least 10 cm). Prepare the pits for planting and leave for 10-14 days.
At what distance should I plant?
Peach grows tall and strong, has a spreading crown. That is why there must be sufficient distance between the trees so that they do not begin to interfere with each other.
During planting, make sure that there is a distance of at least 4 m between the trees and a row spacing of about 5 m. If you decide to ignore this rule, neighboring trees will begin to oppress the peach and as a result, it may die completely.
Depth of Landing Pit
Prepare a pit with dimensions of at least 0.5 m in width, depth and length. However, if the seedling is very large, the size of the recess can be increased.
To prevent stagnation of moisture in the ground in the future, be sure to place a drainage layer on the bottom of the pit - for example, use pebbles, expanded clay, brick, previously crushed into small pieces. But in this case, do not forget to increase the depth of the pit by 20-30 cm.
Two ways to plant peach
There are several ways to plant a peach tree. There are no special rules and you can choose any method that is most suitable.
To plant "on a cone"
This is the easiest and most common way to plant fruit trees. It is enough to adhere to the following sequence of actions:
- pour 2 buckets of plain water into the prepared pit;
- when the liquid is absorbed into the ground, pour fertilizer into the bottom;
- on the top of the hill formed a seedling, straighten the roots along the slope so that they are at an angle of about 45 degrees;
- fill the pit with earth and tamp a little;
- make sure that there are no air cavities near the roots;
- pour 1 bucket of plain water on the tree;
- when water is absorbed into the ground, mulch the area near the trunk with peat, humus, crushed bark;
- fix the seedling near the support so that it does not bend during the subsidence of the soil after planting.
See the following video on peach planting using the cone method:
To plant "in a manure"
Using this method allows you to independently plant peach without additional help. Need to do:
- pour humus (2-2.5 buckets) on the bottom of the landing pit and pour plain water (1-1.5 buckets);
- after half the water has been fed into the ground, pour fruit soil (1 bucket);
- a sludge should form, in which the root of the tree is placed;
- a viscous substance independently keeps the peach in the right position;
- gradually fill the hole with earth and periodically pull up the seedling, so that the roots will be leveled in the correct position;
- after filling the hole, water the tree again;
- mulch the near-stem circle - the thickness of the mulching layer is at least 6 cm.
In the video below, the gardener provides an overview of peach planting in the fall using the "slurry" method:
Possible mistakes during peach planting
During the procedure for planting peach trees, most often, the following errors are made:
- Too much mineral fertilizer was added to the planting pit. This leads to the death of beneficial bacteria that process fertilizers into a form that the plant can absorb.
- If a pit for planting was not prepared in advance, this leads to too deep a root neck. After disembarkation, the soil will settle too much. As a result, the proper development of the tree slows down.
- It is important to choose the right variety of peach, which is suitable for growing in a specific climatic zone. In the future, such a mismatch may trigger the death of the plant.
- Incorrectly selected dates for planting a seedling lead to its death.
- Planting a seedling, whose age exceeds 2 years. As a result, the peach will take root in the new place for a long time, which negatively affects the development process.
After landing care
The peach tree is very sensitive, and in order for it to take root in a new place, you need to properly and constantly look after it. It is on how watering is carried out correctly, fertilizers are applied and preparations for winter are carried out, the future crop depends.
Watering
In the first year after planting, the tree needs regular and plentiful watering. About one liter of water is required per adult plant. In hot and dry summers, more frequent watering is required.
Keep an eye on the condition the soil is in, as over-watering and stagnant moisture can cause the death of the plant. About 10 days before the fruits fully ripen, stop watering. If the weather is dry, sprinkle the crown.
In addition to watering, carry out regular weed removal and loosen the soil. Mulch the soil using straw, sawdust. It is better not to use fallen dry leaves for this purpose, since pests can live in them.
Fertilizer
Starting from the second year of a tree's life, feed three times a season. Use nitrogen fertilizers in spring. In summer and autumn, phosphorus and potassium are suitable for feeding.
Pruning
Sanitary pruning along with forming, spend in the spring, when the winter shelter will be removed. On a young tree, remove all unnecessary ovaries, otherwise an excessive number of fruits will break the branches.
Trim and with the onset of autumn - leave no more than 4 shoots on the trunk below. This procedure will allow you to properly prepare the plant for the winter period.
Winter seedling shelter
Be sure to cover the young tree before winter. If the peach is small, tie the branches and bend to the ground. Top the tree with a special material. In the spring, when the frosts pass, remove the shelter.
Peach tree protection from diseases and pests
Many peach varieties are characterized by excellent resistance not only to diseases, but also to various pests. But in early spring, it is recommended to take preventive measures:
- when you remove the shelter, treat the tree with a solution of Bordeaux liquid 3%;
- when the ovaries form, perform fungicide treatment;
- whitewashing peach with lime in the spring is an effective prevention.
Autumn planting in your own peach garden requires increased attention and proper care from the gardener. This plant is rather capricious and requires the observance of certain rules, neglect of which can lead to poor harvest or complete death of the plant.