Planting pears in autumn in the Moscow region

Pear is a heat-loving plant, so spring is considered the most suitable time of year for planting seedlings in the Moscow region. But is it worth postponing planting work until April - May, or can you plant a tree on your site at the end of the current season? From this article you will learn when it is better to plant a pear - in spring or autumn - and how to do it.

When is the best time to plant a pear in the Moscow region?

Young pear seedlings in the Moscow region can be planted in open ground both in spring and autumn. However, when planting, climatic conditions should be taken into account so that the seedling does not die and will bear fruit abundantly in the future.

in spring

Seedlings planted on the site in the spring have time to fully take root before the onset of cold weather.. However, very little time is allocated for this procedure - planting should be carried out before the onset of hot days, which are detrimental to the young plant.

According to the timing for the middle zone, this time falls on the last days of April or the beginning of May. It is better to choose the moment when the frosts are behind, but the leaves on the fruit trees have not yet appeared.

However, if frost returns unexpectedly, there is a risk of losing the seedling, because it is not yet strong enough and cannot withstand even a slight decrease in temperature.

in autumn

Seedlings that are planted in open ground in the fall have a significant advantage – the winter hardiness of the tree increases significantly. And there is much more time for planting than in spring - from the first days of September to the end of October.If unexpected frosts do not occur, the seedling will have time to take root and adapt to the coming winter.

If for some reason during this period you didn’t have time to plant the purchased seedling, you just need to dig it in and then plant it fully in the spring. There is no need to shorten the roots; only dead and damaged areas are trimmed.

How to plant correctly

In order for the future pear to grow well and bear fruit, you need to choose suitable for the region variety, good place and follow the landing rules.

Choosing the best pear variety for the Moscow region

In the Moscow region, the summer months are hot and winters are cold, with frosts occurring early and often unexpectedly. In winter, thaws often occur, followed by prolonged warming.

The selected pear variety should not only not be afraid of frost, but also have increased winter hardiness.

Important! Winter crop varieties are not suitable for cultivation in the Moscow region - the fruits do not have time to ripen.

Suitable varieties:

1. Lada and Chizhovskaya – easy to care for, not afraid of temperature changes, with aromatic and tasty fruits, suitable for beginners.
2. Cathedral – a universal variety with good frost resistance, rarely gets sick, the harvest ripens at the end of August, well suited for preservation.
3. Cosmic - also ripens in August, yields are high, and there is immunity to scab. It is easy to care for, but is not suitable for long-term storage.
4. Elegant Efimova - ripens in September, the fruits are stored for a long time, are attractive in appearance and pleasant to the taste. Frost resistance is low, but with good care it is successfully grown in the Moscow region.
5. Otradnenskaya - resistant to frost, ripens at the end of September, is well suited for preservation, and can be stored fresh for about 3 months.

Choosing a landing site

Choose a sunny area for planting pears, without shading from tall buildings or fences. Close proximity to groundwater (at least 3 m) is not allowed; lowlands where stagnant moisture forms are avoided.

The soil should be loose, well permeable to water and air. Otherwise, the roots will suffer from rot and the pear will die. Before planting, the nutritional value of the soil is increased with compost or humus.

Selection of seedlings

In the northern regions and in central Russia seedlings are selected two years old, strong and healthy.

The central shoot is smooth, 70 to 85 cm long, without mechanical damage.

Attention! Do not use seedlings older than 2 years; they do not take root well and do not tolerate replanting.

If possible, inspect the root system. It should be free of dry and rotten areas, white plaque and mold, seals and cracks.

Landing algorithm

Step-by-step instructions for planting a pear seedling:

1. Prepare the holes. The width is 1 m and the depth is 60 cm. If you are planting several trees, maintain a distance of 4-5 m between the holes.
2. At the bottom, form a drainage layer of broken brick 3-5 cm thick.
3. Place a peg in the center for tying.
4. Mix the excavated soil with 2 buckets of humus, 2 buckets of peat, 400 g of potassium sulfate and 200 g of superphosphate. This will provide the seedling with nutrients for the next 2 years.
5. If the soil is too dense, add 2 buckets of coarse sand.
6. Before planting, immerse the roots of the seedling in water with the addition of a root formation stimulator (for example, “Kornevina”).
7. Shorten the lateral roots by 2-3 cm and dip them in liquid clay, which will provide good adhesion to the soil.
8. Form a small hill at the bottom of the hole, place the seedling on it and spread the roots, covering them with soil.
9. Compact the soil, being careful not to damage the roots.
10. Fill the planting hole with soil. The root collar should be located 4-6 cm above the surface.
11. Tie the seedling to the stake with soft tape or cloth.
12. Build an earthen bank around the trunk that will retain moisture when watering.
13. Pour in 2-3 buckets of warm soft water and mulch the soil.

Care after landing

For the first 2 years, the seedling does not feed. The plant has enough nutrients that were added during planting.

Watering should be regularso that the soil sinks sufficiently and the air voids in the roots disappear.

For the winter, the roots of the pear are covered with a thick layer of foliage and straw.. If severe frosts are expected, lay thick burlap or non-woven material. The crown should not be tied tightly so as not to damage the young shoots.

Important! Do not apply mineral fertilizers. They will provoke the rapid development of the above-ground part and lead to oppression of the root system.

Conclusion

Planting and caring for pear trees in the Moscow region both in spring and autumn have their own characteristics and advantages. With correctly selected planting material, a suitable site and compliance with the planting algorithm, the seedling will quickly and easily take root and in the future will delight you with abundant fruiting.