When and how to plant apricot

When to plant an apricot

You can do this in the spring, when the daytime temperature does not fall below 5 °C. It is advisable to have time to plant a tree before the buds on its branches begin to swell. Approximate dates for the southern regions - from mid-March to mid-April; for the middle lane - the second half of April; for the north - the end of April - the beginning of May.

Apricots can also be planted in autumn, when temperatures do not exceed 10°C during the day and 5°C at night. In the north, suitable conditions usually develop in September, in the regions of the middle lane - from late September to mid-October, and in the south, "resettlement" is carried out throughout October. It is important to finish 3-4 weeks before the arrival of autumn frosts, so that the seedling has time to take root and endure the winter cold.

How to choose an apricot seedling

Go to nurseries or garden centers for trees - this way you will be sure that the purchased copy corresponds to the declared variety.

To get a guaranteed fruit harvest, give preference to the so-called zoned varieties - they are bred taking into account the climatic characteristics of different regions. In the south, you can, in general, plant any apricots. But in the middle lane, you need to choose winter-hardy plants. The same applies to the north, where it is important to plant early varieties as well. Fruits of mid- or late-ripening apricots may simply not have time to ripen in cold climates.

The optimal age of the seedling is 2-3 years. Height - within 1–1.5 m. Make sure that the grafting site is clearly visible near the tree, that is, the main trunk of a quality specimen grows from a small stump. Usually rootstock serves as a stronger and hardier type of apricot, which allows the heat-loving plant to take root even in cold climates. In addition, the presence of a vaccination site indicates that you have a varietal seedling in front of you, and not a wild one.

The bark on the trunk should be dense and lignified, without cracks, damage, stains, rot and mold.

Seedlings can be with a closed or open root system. In the first case, the apricot is sold in a pot or container and takes root better, because the roots are not injured when transplant. In the second option, the “bare” roots are in a film, bag or bag with a small amount of earth or sawdust. When buying such an instance, you need to carefully examine the root system: it must be powerful, well developed, with many branches and without dry processes.

For effective pollination, it is worth planting two or three different varieties of apricot at once close to each other. When choosing them, keep in mind that the fruit ripening period should approximately coincide.

How to prepare a place for planting apricot

If you have taken several trees, place them at a distance of at least 3-4 m from each other.

Decide on a landing site

Apricot is a light-loving plant, so place it exclusively in the sun. Make sure that during the day other trees or buildings will not cast even a slight shadow on it. You can plant an instance near a wall or fenceif they serve as protection from the north wind.

Lowlands and places where moisture stagnates in the soil are not suitable for apricot. It is better to choose a flat area or a hill.

Make a landing hole

Both width and depth should be about 50–70 cm. For seedlings with a closed root system, dig a hole twice the size of the container.

Fill in the recess compost or rotted manure almost half. Add 400 g of nitroammophoska or 200 g of superphosphate.

Pour 400 g of wood ash.

Mix all ingredients inside the planting hole.

Pour soil into the hole so that in the middle you get a small mound about 15–20 cm high. If you are planting an apricot from a container, skip this step.

In the middle of the mound, install a long peg that will serve as a support for the seedling. If you have a tree in a pot, place the stick near the trunk after planting.

Pour 10–12 liters of water into the recess.

How to plant an apricot

Place the seedling on top of the mound in the planting hole and straighten out the roots. Or take the apricot out of the container and place it in the hole.

Fill the tree with soil so that the place vaccinations was 3–5 cm above the ground.

Pour 10 liters of water under the root of the seedling.

Install the support if you haven't already. Tie the apricot to the peg with a rope.

How to care for apricot after planting

If you filled the planting hole correctly, then you can not worry about top dressing in the next 1-2 years. The apricot will begin to actively bear fruit about 4 years after the "relocation" to your garden.

cut the apricot

Shorten the trunk of the seedling immediately after planting. With a sharp pruner, cut off its top at a height of 0.8–1 m from the ground. This should be done by stepping back from the nearest kidney about 0.5 cm. The procedure will stimulate the growth of side shoots.

Water the apricot

In the first month after spring planting, pour 10 liters of water under the seedling every other day. If it stagnates, you can repeat the procedure less often. Then act as needed: make sure that the soil under the plant is slightly damp.

After autumn planting apricot watered only if there is little rain and the surface of the earth dries up. One seedling needs 10 liters of water. And with the advent of frost, moistening the soil is no longer required.