A guide to proper watering of peach trees in summer for beginner gardeners
Watering is the most important agrotechnical procedure in plant care. Gardeners who grow capricious peach trees on their plots are especially attentive to it. Without regular and proper soil moisture, it is impossible to get a harvest - the plants will dry out and die. Let's take a closer look at how often to water a peach tree and what recommendations to follow.
Do I need to water a peach in summer?
Peach is watered from late March until autumn, including the summer months. The root system of the tree goes 20-60 cm underground.
The plant does not tolerate waterlogging, so water the soil as it dries, observing intervals between procedures.
It cannot be said that the tree loves moisture very much, but summer residents try to prevent the soil from drying out and cracking.
How often to water
The frequency of the procedure depends on weather conditions, the variety and age of the peach. On average, the tree is moistened once every 4-6 weeks.
Water consumption rates:
- A tree needs 5 to 10 liters of water for up to a year;
- per plant from 2 to 5 years - from 8 to 15 l;
- from 5 years and older - from 20 to 25 liters.
Water requirements for irrigation
Some summer residents use tap or rain water for irrigation, others from a well or reservoir. Tap water is filtered, but contains chlorine, which is harmful to garden and vegetable crops. Well water is rich in minerals, but an excess of microelements makes it unsuitable for irrigation.
Water from a reservoir is less suitable for moistening the soil, because it may contain toxic waste, chemicals, and rotting products. The most suitable option is rain. It is distinguished by its softness and high content of natural oxygen. To stock up on rainwater, iron or plastic barrels and other containers are placed on the site.
Attention! The optimal water temperature for watering peach is +22°C. Cold weather has a negative effect on the root system, especially if you water the plant on a hot day. Trees' ability to absorb nutrients is reduced.
What can I add?
Sometimes gardeners combine watering with fertilization. Prepare an infusion of wood ash: 1 tbsp. l. ash is poured into 1 liter of boiling water and left for 7 days. Afterwards, the solution is mixed with 10 liters of water and added under the fruit tree into the prepared holes. Ash is rich in potassium and phosphorus, is quickly absorbed and improves peach fruiting.
Also You can add dried nettles, dandelions or calendula flowers to the water., leave for 2-3 days and apply under the plant. This product not only moisturizes the soil, but also protects the trunk and shoots from insect pests. The fertilizer is organic and does not harm the quality of fruits and surrounding plants.
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How to properly water a peach in summer
There are several watering methods - regular, sprinkling or applying liquid fertilizer. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Watering methods
Experienced gardeners it is recommended to add water to prepared grooves or holes located at a distance of 20-30 cm from the trunk. The depth of the grooves is 30-50 cm.After watering, the holes are sprinkled with loose soil. This is the simplest and most common way to moisturize.
Using the same principle, summer residents apply liquid fertilizers.. If you water a tree just at the root (without holes), most of the water and nutrients will not reach the roots. Especially if the procedure is carried out on a hot day, the water quickly evaporates from the soil surface.
Another method of watering is sprinkling.. Drops of water are sprayed over the plant and fall on the branches, fruits, and leaves. There is, for example, a pulse sprinkling system. Plants are irrigated during the hottest period.
During normal sprinkling, water is supplied to plants at intervals of 2-3 days. The advantage of the method is that it creates a favorable microclimate for fruit ripening.
Attention! The disadvantage of sprinkler mechanisms is the high financial costs of manufacturing or purchasing. Also, such machines do not always soak heavy and clay soils. Therefore, gardeners most often use regular furrow irrigation.
What mistakes to avoid
Frequently occurring mistakes made by novice gardeners - watering with cold water or water from open reservoirs. It is also not recommended to moisten the peach during the day; it is better to do it early in the morning (before 9:00) or in the evening (after 20:00).
And the most common mistake is over-hydration. The main rule: it is better not to add water than to overfill it. Otherwise, the root system will become covered with rot, the peach tree will get sick and lose its harvest.
Watering peaches when planting
Peaches are being planted in spacious and sunny areas, maintaining a distance between trees of 2-3 m. The seedling is placed in a prepared hole, the roots are straightened and sprinkled with soil, and then watered abundantly with warm and clean water. One plant takes 1-2 buckets.
After watering, the tree must be covered with a layer of mulch. - use hay, sawdust, ash, peat, grass. This will prevent water from evaporating from the surface of the soil; moisture will penetrate deep to the roots.
During flowering and fruiting
The flowering time of the peach tree depends on variety and region growing. For example, in the south, flowering begins around mid-June and lasts 2-4 weeks, in the middle zone - 15-25 days later.
During this period, the plant is watered moderately, because the load on the tree increases, the peach needs moisture and fertilizer.
Attention! Gardeners stop watering the peach tree 7-10 days before fruiting begins. It is not recommended to carry out other agrotechnical measures: prevention, fertilizing, pruning. Also, many are interested in the question of how to water during the ripening period. Experienced gardeners advise keeping watering to a minimum these days.
Advice from experienced gardeners
To ensure that the tree bears fruit at the right time, does not get sick and is distinguished by tasty and beautiful fruits, experienced gardeners We recommend following simple instructions:
- mulch the tree after watering with a layer 3-4 cm thick to avoid drying out the roots;
- alternate watering with plain water with the application of liquid organic and mineral fertilizers;
- do not use cold water;
- Before watering, loosen the soil to make it lighter and more permeable;
- If the weather is rainy, reduce the frequency of watering.
Conclusion
The best way to hydrate your peach tree is to use rainwater. It is soft, does not contain chlorine, and is useful for all garden plants. If such water is not available, use tap water. It takes 5-10 liters for a seedling, and 15 to 25 liters for an adult tree.
Before the procedure, the soil is loosened, after which the base of the tree is sprinkled with a layer of mulch. 10 days before fruiting, watering is stopped. Resume only a week after harvest.