Is it possible to plant cherries in July and how to do it correctly: instructions and advice from experienced gardeners
The ideal time to plant garden crops is early spring or mid-autumn. However, some summer residents choose the height of summer for this. — July. Gardeners are attracted by warm weather, when the likelihood of seedlings freezing is close to zero. They especially like to plant cherries in July: the juicy and sweet berry is a favorite of many. How to plant cherry seedlings in July and what recommendations to follow, we will consider further.
Is it possible to plant cherries in July?
Seedlings with a closed root system are suitable for July planting; they grow in plastic containers rather than in open ground. Such a cherry quickly takes root in a new place, because a lump of earth from a container is placed in the hole along with the roots. The roots are not injured, the flowering period begins earlier. Gardeners have no difficulty storing planting material; they buy it long before planting. In July, there are no sharp drops in temperature, which often happens in spring and autumn, so the seedling is protected from the cold.
The disadvantage of July planting is that seedlings with an open root system are not suitable for it. Such cherries are planted in the garden in spring or autumn. In summer, plants with an open root system experience severe stress, which negatively affects the yield and quality of the fruit. Plants often get sick, berries grow sour and become deformed.
Optimal planting dates
The day of planting depends not so much on the exact date, but on climatic conditions, light, and humidity. Summer residents recommend planting cherries in the morning on a windless and sunny day. The optimal air temperature is up to +20°C, which is why they choose time before lunch, while the sun is not too hot.
Attention! According to the lunar calendar, favorable months for planting crops are March, April, May, September, October. July is not on this list.
There should be no rain, as well as hail and other precipitation. Suitable air humidity is about 75–80%. In order for the cherry to take root on the site until autumn, many gardeners plant it in early July.
Suitable varieties
When choosing a variety, pay attention to the yield and ripening time, early maturity and cultivation requirements, immunity to disease and purpose. Among the domestic varieties suitable for planting in July:
- Radonezh. Low-growing trees with arched olive shoots and dark red fruits with delicate skin. The pulp is sweet and sour, suitable for processing. Radonezh is resistant to fungal diseases.
- Fairy. The variety is universal in use, the berries are pink, oval-round. The pulp is juicy and tender. Cherries are grown for sale and personal consumption.
- Ukrainian. Winter-hardy early ripening variety. The tree is a bush type and does not take up much space on the site. The skin is shiny, the flesh is dark red. The taste is juicy, sweet, with a pleasant sourness.
Oka ruby - Oka ruby. The variety is mid-season and unpretentious in cultivation. The pulp is juicy and the taste is pleasant. Oka ruby is fast-bearing and universal in use.
- Youth. The self-fertile winter-hardy variety is grown throughout Russia. The fruits are round, dark red, and the skin is dense. The taste is aromatic, sweet and sour.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Cherry is picky about where it is grown, so it is prepared in advance. Since April, the soil has been dug up using shovels, cleared of debris and last year’s leaves, and weeds and other plant debris removed. It is recommended to water the soil with boiling water as soon as the snow melts to destroy the larvae and bacteria overwintering in it.
Podzolic soils containing organic and mineral substances are suitable for the culture. To make the soil more fertile, rotted manure or chicken droppings are added to it for 2 months at the rate of 8 kg per 1 m².
Cherry does not tolerate excessively moist soils, because of this the root system rots and the yield decreases. There should be no swampy areas or groundwater near the plantings. The ideal option is a sunny, hilly area located along the fence in the south-eastern part of the garden. If the soil is acidic, add 400 g of dry lime per 1 m². The acidity level should be no more than 7 pH.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Gardeners choose self-rooted or grafted plants with 3-4 skeletal roots. Such specimens yield earlier and are better adapted to growing conditions. The height of the seedling is about 80 cm; annual and biennial plants are suitable. It is important to pay attention to their appearance: the seedlings should not have cracks, stains, or signs of rotting. All this indicates that the plant is sick or has been subjected to mechanical stress, for example, breakage.
After purchase, the leaves are removed from the seedling so that they do not dehydrate the plant. The roots are moistened in warm water and wrapped in cloth or polyethylene. Before planting, the main roots are trimmed to healthy wood and dipped in the “Extrasol” mixture.It increases cherry immunity to bacterial and fungal diseases, accelerates the growth of roots and shoots, and increases productivity.
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How to plant cherries in July
Summer planting does not take much time if you think about it in advance and prepare the necessary equipment: a shovel, a wooden peg for support, a garden net, a bucket of water. Recommendations from experienced gardeners will help you plant and grow cherries without any problems.
Landing instructions
Preparation begins with digging a planting hole 80 cm wide and 60 cm deep. The distance between trees of low-growing varieties should be at least 3 m, tall ones - 5-6 m. As a rule, cherries are placed in single plantings or along garden buildings. Further planting guidance:
- A wooden stake is installed in the center of the pit to support the cherry tree.
- Purchased soil is poured onto the bottom in a layer of no more than 10 cm.
- Remove the seedling from the solution or water.
- Place the root collar 4 cm above the ground surface.
- Sprinkle the seedling on all sides with loose soil.
- Make a depression 15 cm from the base and pour 2 buckets of water into it.
- Tie the cherry to the support with cotton ribbon.
- Cover the trunk with a special garden net.
Not all summer residents understand where the root collar is located. Some believe that it is above the roots, others - at the grafting site. In fact, the root collar is located at the transition point between the roots and the trunk. Therefore, it cannot be deeply buried in the soil, as this leads to rotting of the bark. As a result, the tree, instead of settling into its new location, will struggle to survive.
Planting with seeds
An easy way to grow a productive cherry orchard is to use seeds. They are selected from the most delicious and juicy berries; pits from store-bought cherries are not suitable for this. The planting material is washed and dried in the sun, then placed in a hole 5 cm deep. It will begin to grow only in the fall, when the weather is cool and the seeds separate. The first shoots will appear in the spring. When the seedlings reach a height of 30 cm, they are transplanted to a permanent place.
Some gardeners plant seeds in flower pots after fertilizing the soil with organic matter or mineral fertilizers. They are grown at home or in the country and only then placed on the plot.
Features of planting cherries with a closed root system
When planting cherries with a closed root system in the summer, the container is turned upside down, holding the inverted seedling in the palm of your hand along with a lump of earth. There are holes in the bottom of the pot that make it easy to remove it and separate it from the plant.
Attention! It is recommended to buy seedlings from trusted garden nurseries. When purchasing, gardeners find out all the information about cherries: name of the variety and ripening period, features of cultivation and care. It wouldn’t hurt to study the reviews of other summer residents.
The seedling is watered beforehand so that it can be easily removed. This will preserve the integrity of the root system and soil in which the cherry previously grew.
Aftercare
Plant care consists of watering and fertilizing, loosening and mulching. Although cherries are drought tolerant, they need to be watered throughout the growing season. For a young tree, 3 to 6 liters of buckets of water, pre-heated in the sun, are spent. In southern regions with dry air, the amount of liquid is increased, in rainy and cloudy weather - reduced.Before the procedure, the soil is loosened: this retains moisture, making it breathable and light. Loosening is the prevention of diseases and pests.
The first feeding of cherries is carried out during the flowering period.. A mixture of mineral components is used: 5 g of urea and 10 g of potassium chloride are diluted in 5 liters of water. The nitrogen-potassium composition stimulates the development of flowers, improves the taste and marketability of fruits. After 2 weeks, organic fertilizer is used: a mixture of 10 liters of water, 2 liters of mullein and 500 g of wood ash is applied to each bush. After the procedure, the cherries are watered generously with warm water.
The soil around the cherry tree should always be covered with mulch. Bark and wood chips are effective in use - they give plants an attractive appearance, retain moisture in the soil, protect roots from overheating and suppress the development of weeds.
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Advice from experienced gardeners
In order for cherries to consistently bear tasty fruits, gardeners advise paying attention to preventative treatments against diseases and pests, and pruning plants:
- Cherries are pruned 2 or 3 years after planting. In young trees, shoots on the trunk and thin single shoots are removed. Use sharp garden pruners to cut off diseased and damaged branches. This is done before active sap flow begins, around the end of March or beginning of April, depending on the growing region.
- Preventive treatment is carried out during spring, summer and autumn. To protect against scab, coccomycosis, black rot, use a urea solution (1 tbsp per bucket of water) or spraying with the preparation “HOM”.Spraying with a soap solution or Bordeaux mixture helps prevent the appearance of insect pests.
To protect against rodents in autumn and winter, plastic nets are used. They do not interfere with air circulation and protect against voles, rats, and hares.
Conclusion
For July planting, seedlings with a closed root system are chosen: they quickly adapt to the climatic conditions of the region and rarely get sick. They buy planting material from garden nurseries and study suitable varieties and their requirements in advance. The crop is grown in sunny areas, having previously fertilized them with organic and mineral fertilizers. The seedling is placed in a hole, covered with earth and tied to a support. Next, water with warm water, feed and mulch.
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