The root system of fruit trees after planting occupies a small area. Over time, the roots develop beyond the limits of the planting hole and occupy the entire area between the rows. Therefore, the care of the soil consists of regular fertilizers, constant treatment of the root circle and inter-row space.
In the first half of summer, when there is rapid growth of leaves, stems and shoots, soil treatment and fertilization is very important. In the second period of summer, the final formation of the leaf apparatus and the woodiness of the young shoots take place. Buy plants for your garden here.
The soil is treated over the entire area occupied by the root system. The diameter of the tillage circle should be 1-1,5 m larger than the crown.
The annual growth of the root system is up to 30 cm in radius. Therefore, the area of cultivation increases every year.
The depth of cultivation around the trunk is 8-12 cm, around the edge of the ridge 15-20 cm (pome trees) and 12-15 cm (stone trees). The shovel should be placed against the trunk when digging to avoid damaging the skeletal roots.
It is impossible to completely rule out damage to the root system, the restoration takes place in the fall. Digging under stone crops and apple trees begins immediately after the harvest. With a strong drying of the soil in the fall, digging is transferred to the spring (there is severe damage to the root system). On loamy soils, the recultivation is carried out once every 2-3 years, while on sandy soils it is replaced by a deep loosening. Spring loosening should not be deeper than 9-12 cm. During the year you should regularly loosen the soil, especially after heavy rains and watering (around 5-6 times). To improve water and air conditions the soil under the plants mulch. It is not recommended that the mulch layer come into contact with the trunk, the distance should be at least 10 cm.
After the spring loosening of the soil leveled. On dwarf varieties the depth of cultivation is reduced by 3-4 cm.
Autumn digging is carried out with the overturning of the layer, which contributes to the destruction of wintering forms of pests.
It is recommended to make a snow stop in the garden in winter.
Watering the garden should be carried out on a mandatory basis.
Timing of watering:
The first watering is in the spring, before the buds blossom;
The second – 15 days after flowering;
The third is 20 days before harvest.
The layer of soil soaked during irrigation should be at least one meter. Before watering, the soil around the trunk is pulled apart, making a bowl. The edges of the bowl should match the crown. After watering, the soil is loosened and mulched. Watering can be combined with fertilizing. To do this, make wells 30-35 cm. After planting, it is mandatory to water, even if the soil is wet, for better contact of the root system to the lumps of soil.
If you squeeze the soil in your fist, and it crumbles after compression, you should water.
