Step-by-step instructions for planting peach in the fall from experienced gardeners
Peach is a tree with a capricious character, so autumn planting of seedlings requires thorough preparation. Despite the difficulties and some nuances, the tree has every chance of taking root if high-quality insulation is provided. Thanks to the dormant period, the plant takes root better, it is not disturbed by diseases and is not attacked by pests.
From the article you will learn how to plant a peach correctly and when it is better to replant it - in spring or autumn.
Choosing a peach variety for autumn planting
Experienced gardeners It is recommended to take into account zoning and purchase seedlings from local nurseries. This will give the tree a better chance of surviving the climate.
In the south of the country you can choose any variety you like, but the further north the region, the more the frost resistance of the tree has to be taken into account. In the Urals and Siberia, it is best to postpone peach planting to spring.
Frost-resistant varieties include Fairy Tale, Flamingo and Sibiryak, they are suitable for planting in the Urals and Siberia. For the Northwestern region, self-pollinating species are chosen, for example, Cardinal, Golden Moscow, Collins. It is not recommended to plant early peaches in central Russia - the flowers can easily be damaged by sudden frosts.
Interesting things on the site:
Guide to planting currants in autumn
Step-by-step instructions for planting cherry plum in autumn
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Choosing a variety is half the success, after that you need to select high-quality planting material, otherwise all your efforts will be in vain. A peach seedling should not be higher than 1.5 m, and the trunk diameter should not be more than 2 cm. Otherwise, the tree will die.
The root system must be:
- well branched;
- not dried;
- with a central root and at least three lateral roots.
A strong and powerful root system indicates high-quality planting material. It is best if the plant is 2 years old and the distance between the graft and the root collar is about 7 cm. The surface of the trunk should be glossy and smooth.
Attention! The presence of cracks, wounds, insects, curled leaves and other signs of disease on a seedling indicates its unsuitability for planting.
A high-quality and healthy seedling will help you get a high harvest of peaches every year.
Selecting a location
Peach does not tolerate transplantation, and therefore the right place must be chosen immediately. This tree loves warmth and does not tolerate drafts or excess moisture. First of all, the summer resident will need to examine the area for groundwater and find the driest place.
It is best to plant peach in the southern part of the plot, making sure that the shadow of the house or barn does not fall on the plant. Do not plant the tree next to other garden crops. An excellent protection would be a fence or hedge to the north of the tree.
Peach doesn't like lowlands. Even if there is no groundwater there, rain will still accumulate in this place. It is better to plant trees on some hill or hill. Also, there should be no mature trees near the peach; they will oppress it.
Interesting! The best predecessors for peach are tomatoes or potatoes.
When planting several trees, maintain a distance there is at least 2.5 m between them.
Landing dates
In central Russia, peaches are planted no later than September 15 - the tree will have time to take root and overwinter well. In the southern regions, planting is postponed until mid-October, and under favorable weather conditions - early November. The northern regions still shouldn’t take risks; the tree will not have time to take root and will freeze in winter. It is better to postpone the procedure until spring.
When is the best time to plant: spring or autumn
Often gardeners prefer spring planting of trees., including peaches. They explain this by saying that over the summer the tree will not only have time to take root, but will also become quite stronger, and as a result will endure the winter more easily. However, a young tree will have to spend more energy on growing green mass and growing new branches than on developing roots.
Experienced gardeners assure that autumn planting is much better and healthier for peach. In winter there are no pests, the risk of diseases is reduced to a minimum, there is time to build up the root system and strengthen it. In spring, such a tree begins active growth and vegetation.
Attention! Late planting will harm the tree. If frosts start, it is better to abandon the idea - the tree will not have time to get stronger and will die.
How to plant peach trees in the fall
A couple of months before planting the seedlings, prepare the area, remove weeds and other debris. To saturate the soil with oxygen, it is dug up several times.
Required materials and tools
To plant a peach you will need a shovel to dig a hole and fertilizer. It is best to use organic and chemical preparations together.
Interesting! There is no need to fertilize the chernozem; it is enough to sow it with grain crops, such as rye or oats, several years before planting.
Peach loves feeding, and therefore it is important to control the quality of the soil and its content of useful vitamins and microelements. Good drainage is also needed.
Step-by-step instruction
To plant a peach, perform the following steps in two weeks::
- Dig a hole with a diameter and depth of at least 80 cm.
- Fill in 10 cm of drainage; it is best to use gravel, broken bricks and other materials.
- A nutrient mixture of manure, wood ash, peat, superphosphate and garden soil is added.
A day before planting the seedlings, the roots are immersed in water, and to stimulate their growth, add "Kornevin" or other root-forming preparation.
The next day they begin planting the seedlings:
- A depression is made in the hole that will correspond to the roots of the peach tree.
- Pour in a bucket of water and wait until completely absorbed.
- If there is damage to the roots, remove them using pruners.
- Place the peach in the center of the hole and carefully straighten the roots.
- Cover with garden soil, keeping the root collar 4 cm above the soil surface.
- The circumferential circle is trampled down, and a side is formed along its edge.
- Water the tree, tie it to a stable support and mulch with peat or straw.
Further care of the seedling
To prevent the peach from freezing in winter, it is carefully insulated. Make a mound in the tree trunk circle using ordinary soil. A height of about 30 cm will protect the root system from frost.
Use a bag as additional protection. An empty sugar container or burlap container is suitable for this.
How to “dress” a tree for the winter:
- Stick two long tonic sticks into the sides of the tree.
- Place a bag over them so that the tree is inside.
- Attach with construction staples or bury the bag in the ground so that the wind does not blow it away.
- To allow air to enter, make a small hole in the bag on the south side of the tree.
This design will protect you from cold and wind., as well as from various pests, for example, hares.
In the spring, after the onset of stable heat, the cover is removed and formative pruning is carried out., remove the soil from the tree trunk, release the graft, water and mulch.
Read also:
Nuances of planting depending on the region
In order for the peach to take root and bear tasty and aromatic fruits every year, choose the right plant variety. A mistake made at this stage will lead to irreversible consequences and the plant will die.
When planting a peach, take into account the characteristics of the region and weather conditions. If the planting dates are not met, it will be difficult for the seedling to survive the winter; it will not grow stronger and will die. It is also important to consider the age of the plant. If the seedling is more than two years old, it will be more difficult for it to take root; it will most likely be sick for a long time in the new place.
Attention! Peach is a delicate tree; a fruit lover will need to not only plant the plant correctly and in a timely manner, but also care for it in the future, following the recommendations of experienced gardeners.
Peach loves moisture, but does not tolerate stagnation, and therefore in the southern regions the tree is watered more often. It is important that due to heavy rainfall, liquid does not accumulate in the roots of the peach.
Removing weeds is a prerequisite for growing peach trees in all regions, regardless of climate. Partially this can be achieved by mulching the soil in the tree trunk circle.
Depending on the composition of the soil, different additives will be required.:
in regions with heavy clay soil, add river sand, high-quality drainage, as well as up to 1 kg of ash per pit and 250 g of superphosphate;- on peat areas, use 100 g of potassium chloride, 350 g of lime and up to 400 g of superphosphate, and also add a little clay;
- areas with gray soil are fertilized with complex fertilizers according to the instructions;
- leached chernozem is diluted with humus - about 10 kg, 250 g of lime and 150 g of superphosphate are added, potassium chloride in the amount of 35 g per pit will be useful;
- podzolic soils require the addition of potassium-containing fertilizers - about 55 g, ammonium nitrate - 70 g and about 200 g of superphosphate;
- podzolized soil is supplied with complex fertilizers containing nitrogen and potassium or 200 g of ash and superphosphate.
Peach loves microelements and vitamins, and therefore they will have to be paid annually.
Conclusion
When planting peach, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the region and choose a variety that is better adapted to climatic conditions than others.
Experts recommend purchasing seedlings from local nurseries - such plants are more adapted and zoned in accordance with growing conditions. When planting a seedling, all the characteristics of the tree are taken into account, the indicated recommendations are followed, then in a few years the peach will delight you with its first juicy fruits.