A guide to feeding pears in the fall for beginner gardeners
In autumn, pears are fed with mineral and organic fertilizers. They are applied by root and foliar methods, carefully observing the dosage. This allows the plant to stock up on nutrients for the winter season, increases immunity to disease, and has a positive effect on the taste of the fruit and yield in the coming season.
The article will tell you how to feed a pear in the fall and how to do it correctly.
What does a pear need in autumn?
Autumn feeding enriches the plant with micro- and macroelements, the reserves of which were actively consumed during the growing season. How the pear will withstand the cold directly depends on this.
If the tree is not prepared or lacks mineral or organic substances, it may not withstand low temperatures.
Timing for applying autumn fertilizing
Feeding in the autumn carried out at a time when the fruits have already been collected and the foliage has partially turned yellow.
The first time nutrients are applied is in September. Finish no later than the beginning of November, so as not to disrupt the tree’s development regime.. Otherwise, instead of preparing for the dormant period, the pear will begin to produce buds, which is detrimental to it.
The plant absorbs nutrients for at least a month. If they are frozen, it will not give any result.
Monthly feeding calendar for pears
IN Fertilizers are applied for the first time in September. Use formulations containing potassium and phosphorus.This allows the tree to properly develop wood and set buds for the winter. Choose mineral fertilizers. They contain the nutrients necessary for the pear. If you feed the pear too late, it will not have enough time to prepare for the cold.
As soon as the leaves fall, sanitary pruning of the tree is carried out and the second stage begins adding nutrients. They use preparations with potassium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and copper.
So that nutrients reach the root system faster and in the right quantities, the pear is pre-watered abundantly - at least 10 liters of water at the root.
At the end of October, the tree trunk below is whitened with lime diluted in a solution of copper sulfate. Young trees are additionally protected with chalk emulsion from insects and rodents.
Attention. The fertilizer should not contain nitrogen, as it will prevent the plant from switching to the winter mode of life before the onset of cold weather.
Root
In autumn, fertilizers are applied using two methods: root and foliar. Each has its own characteristics.
For root application of fertilizers, grooves are dug 25 cm deep around the perimeter of the crown. Afterwards, water the soil thoroughly. Use at least 20 liters of water.
For this method, compositions with the following components are suitable::
- water - 10 l;
- superphosphate - 2 tbsp. l.;
- potassium chloride - 1 tbsp. l.
All components are thoroughly mixed and distributed over the root circle.. For young plants, wood ash is additionally used to protect the fragile root system from rotting. Take 100 g of ash per 1 m² and dig it up.
Fertilizers are also added when digging. For this, dry compounds are suitable, which are evenly distributed around the tree trunk, then dug up.
Such substances are suitable:
- urea - 1 tbsp. l.;
- superphosphate - 2 tbsp. l.;
- phosphate rock - 1.5 tbsp. l.;
- ammophoska - 3 tbsp. l.;
- wood ash - 500 g.
For digging, take wood ash in the amount of 150 g per 1 m². It is scattered at a distance of 60 cm from the trunk and mixed with soil.
Foliar
Foliar feeding is applied once in the autumn.
The following substances are used:
- superphosphate - 2 tbsp. l.;
- potassium chloride - 1 tbsp. l.;
- water - 10 l.
All ingredients are diluted in a bucket. The resulting solution is sprayed onto the crown at the rate of 10 liters of fertilizer per 1 m².
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Types of fertilizers
Fertilizers are applied to pear trees in the fall to prepare the plant for the winter, as well as replenish nutrient deficiencies.
The amount and composition of fertilizers is determined by the type of soil.
Organic
These are mixtures that contain:
- Slurry. It is made from mullein or horse droppings. Fresh herbs are added to them and infused. This fertilizer contains a high concentration of nitrogen, so it is added in small doses so as not to damage the root system. In autumn, they are used to improve the structure of soil with a high humus content, making it softer and looser.
- Humus. It is prepared from healthy fallen leaves, tops, weeds and green manure, which are moistened with water and left to rot for a period of 6 to 12 months. This nutritious and safe composition is applied under digging.
- Wood ash. Contains useful elements and protects against pests.
- Bone meal. Rich in calcium and nitrogen, used for digging, no more than once every 4 years. Reduces soil acidity.
Organic fertilizer is applied to the tree trunk, which is dug around the perimeter of the crown. Then the soil is mulched with straw, humus and peat, taken in equal parts.
Mineral
The pear needs mineral fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus most in the fall. They help the tree prepare for the dormant period.
Feeding apply carefully, carefully observing the dosage:
- water - 10 l;
- copper - 5 g;
- zinc - 10 g;
- magnesium - 200 g;
- boric acid - 20 g.
The mixture is diluted in a bucket. The resulting composition is watered at the rate of 10 liters per 1 m².
Mineral fertilizers are also used for thoroughly spraying leaves, branches and shoots of a tree. To do this, prepare a mixture based on the following components:
- water - 10 l;
- superphosphate - 2 tbsp. l.;
- potassium chloride - 1 tbsp. l.
pear treated with the resulting solution immediately after fruiting.
The best fertilizers for pears in autumn
Ready-made fertilizer formulations are suitable for feeding pears in the fall., which can be purchased in the store, or prepared according to folk recipes.
Ready-made products
From ready-made compositions, “Kalimagnesia” is used. This is a ready-made mineral supplement containing potassium and magnesium. 20 g of the drug is diluted in 10 liters of water. The solution is poured onto the tree trunk circle.
Complex fertilizers such as:
- nitroammophoska;
- nitrophoska;
- ammophos;
- Diammophos.
These supplements contain all the necessary microelements.:
- nitrogen;
- phosphorus;
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- sulfur.
The solution is prepared strictly according to the instructions. Follow the dosage carefully.
Folk recipes
Prepare complex mineral supplements yourself.
You will need the following ingredients:
- ammophoska - 3 tbsp. l.;
- wood ash - 2 tbsp. l.;
- urea - 1 tbsp. l.;
- superphosphate - 2 tbsp. l.;
- phosphate rock - 1.5 tbsp. l.;
- potassium chloride - 1 tbsp. l.
All components are mixed and scattered 60 cm from the trunk. Then the soil is thoroughly shed.
Organic fertilizers are also used. For example, manure and humus, rotted for at least two years.
The amount of feeding depends on the age of the pear:
- up to 7 years - 30 kg;
- over 8 years old - 50 kg.
The specified amount is laid out around the tree and dug up. The frequency of application depends on the type of soil. If it is fertile, then manure is used only once every two years. Wood ash is added to the composition.
Bird droppings are applied to the soil in dry form in the autumn.. Then they dig it up, mixing it evenly with the soil.
Fertilizers such as compost are also used.. It is made from rotting fruits, weeds, tops, and mown grass. Humus or manure is added to it, then the resulting mixture will be more nutritious. Compost is also laid out in a root circle and dug up.
Important. Only healthy plants are used to make compost.
After removing the fruits and digging the soil under the pear, green manure is planted. This is done so that the plants cover the roots of the tree, protecting them from frost and holding back snow.
How to properly fertilize a pear in the fall
To ensure that minerals are better absorbed by the plant’s root system, follow the rules for applying fertilizers.
Consider the following recommendations:
- Dates: end of September – beginning of November.
- Fertilizers are distributed evenly over the entire area of the tree trunk circle, retreating from the trunk at least 50 cm. Its size is limited by the crown of the tree.
- The dosage is strictly observed.
- Trees that are two years old are fed.
- Additional microelements are added to the soil after the entire crop has been harvested.
- When foliar feeding, care is taken to ensure that all foliage and branches are treated thoroughly and evenly.
Features of autumn feeding by region
Timing and features of fertilization directly depend on the region.
In outskirts of Moscow The climate is changeable. To prepare the tree for the dormant period, humus and mulch are used. This will give the plant the necessary supply of nutrients.
In the Urals special attention is paid to foliar feeding - spraying with a composition of potassium chloride and superphosphate increases the plant's winter hardiness and immunity to diseases such as scab.
In the regions of Siberia The soil is fertile, there is a lot of sun, but the winters are harsh. To protect the tree, use natural mulch and ash. And green manure is planted under the plant. For example, bentgrass.
Read also:
A guide to properly preparing grapes for winter
Fertilizers for pears after harvest
After harvesting the fruits, pears are also fedto replenish the lack of nutrients in the soil that were used up during the growing season. This is necessary for the tree to safely overwinter and produce healthy, tasty fruits in the next season.
Use a composition of potassium sulfur (25 g) or potassium monophosphate (15 g) per 10 liters of water. The solution is used to treat the tree trunk circle at the rate of 10 liters of fertilizer per 1 m².
This agricultural practice will help the plant absorb nutrients before the winter period.
Conclusion
Feeding pears in the autumn enriches the soil with compounds that the plant especially needs in winter. Fertilizers are prepared taking into account the characteristics of the soil, climate and age of the trees, strictly observing the dosage.
Properly applied microelements help the plant survive the winter, increase its resistance to diseases and pests, and improve the taste of the future harvest.