Does the amount of harvest depend on the spring care of the apple tree? Caring for an apple tree in spring: what, why and how. Does the amount of harvest depend on the spring care of the apple tree? What should you do with apple trees in the spring?

So you and I have started our own apple orchard, having previously selected the ones we liked, bought seedlings for pre-selected places.

Our still very young garden really needs constant care and attention, because only by giving something can we count on reciprocal gratitude in the form of generous harvests.

A competent one will provide the owner with tasty and very healthy fruits for the entire winter period.

Only with proper care will the apple orchard become our pride and the main decoration of our garden plot.

How to grow an apple tree correctly, how to take care of it - we’ll tell you about this now.

Apple tree care, good feeding

The apple tree requires additional nutritional supplements several times a year. Feeding is especially important for young trees.

But with young animals you should be very careful when applying fertilizers. Fertilizers (especially those containing nitrogen) must be diluted with plenty of water.

Spring feeding

Spring is a time of life, and it is during this period that apple trees are in dire need of fertilizers to stimulate flowering. When choosing fertilizers, take into account the soil in your garden.

With sandy soil, nitrogen supplements will be useful, but black soil does not need nitrogen.

When applying fertilizers in spring, the degree of soil moisture plays a major role:

If trees are well watered, fertilizer can be applied in large quantities. In damp, humid weather they are applied dry. Just scatter the substance near the trunk; along with rainwater, the fertilizer will reach its intended destination.

At apple tree care necessary and foliar feeding(crown spraying). Carry out this procedure early in the morning or late in the evening (the main thing is that there is no sun in the sky).

In cloudy weather, you can spray the crown during the day. For foliar applications, fertilizers should be diluted, otherwise you may burn the leaves.

◊ First leaves. The first fertilizer is applied in the spring, as soon as the first leaves appear. At this time, the apple tree needs root feeding with nitrogen supplements.

Additives are applied during digging along the entire perimeter of the crown. You can choose one of the following fertilizers (per apple tree):

Nitroammophoska and ammonium nitrate: 30-40 g.
Urea: 500-600 g.
Humus: 4-5 buckets.

◊ Flowering. During flowering, the apple tree also needs food. At this time, it is better to apply liquid fertilizers (if the weather is dry).

You can choose one of the following variations (based on 4 buckets of composition per tree). All the following fertilizers should be diluted in 10 liters of water:

Potassium sulfate: 60-70 g and superphosphate: 100 g.
Slurry: 0.5 buckets.
Chicken manure: 1.5-2 l.
Urea: 250-300 g.

◊ Pouring fruits. The third fertilizer when caring for an apple tree is applied after it blooms (the phase of fruit filling and ripening). Choose one of the compositions:

Sodium humate: 10 g, nitrophoska: 0.5 kg per 100 liters of water (calculation: 2-3 buckets per tree).
Green fertilizer (dilute with water 1x10). Place the green parts of the grass in a large container and fill them with water. Cover the containers with polyethylene with holes made. After 20-25 days, the green nutritional supplement is ready.

Summer feeding

In summer, trees need not only nitrogen supplements, but also fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium. In hot weather, feed the apples several times. Minimum break between applying summer fertilizers: 10-14 days.

◊ June. The first summer fertilization is carried out in mid-June. Urea is applied by foliar application.

If the month turns out to be rainy, apply fertilizer to the root zone. Urea should be diluted with water in the required proportion.

The older the tree, the higher the concentration of urea should be. When spraying, treat the trunk with urea - it will kill all pests on the apple tree.

◊ July. When caring for an apple tree in July, it is useful to feed it with potassium and phosphorus-containing additives. During this hot time, fertilizing is carried out by spraying the crown.

Distribute the composition evenly throughout the foliage. The tree also needs nitrogen feed. Take a break of 1-2 weeks between mineral and nitrogen fertilizing.

Autumn feeding

In autumn, apple trees no longer require foliar feeding, otherwise the trees will not have time to prepare for winter rest.

In autumn, apple trees need potassium-phosphorus supplements:

The compositions can be purchased ready-made, diluted with water and applied over the crown area, following the instructions.
You can prepare them yourself: potassium (1 tbsp), double superphosphate in granules (2 tbsp) per 10 liters of water. Pour the composition over the garden for 1 square meter. m. 10 l of solution.

Feeding is not a difficult task, but requires an individual approach. Growing apple trees important tips for beginner gardeners:

When caring for dwarf apple trees, reduce the amount of fertilizer by 25-30%.
To ensure that liquid fertilizers are better absorbed by the plant, apply them to holes 30 cm deep. Dig these holes around the entire circumference of the trunk perimeter.
But such holes cannot be made when fertilizing columnar apple trees (their root system located too close to the soil surface, so the roots may be damaged). For these varieties of apple trees, it is better to sprinkle fertilizers dry under the trunks or simply water the root perimeter.

If apple trees lack any element, they will immediately inform the owner about this by changing their appearance.

What's missing	How the apple tree reacts
Nitrogen	The leaves begin to shrink and turn pale.
Bora	The leaves curl, become smaller, the veins on them turn yellow, and leaf chlorosis may begin.
Iron	The foliage turns yellow and loses its color, the leaves begin to die at the edges, and young shoots lag behind in development.
Potassium	The leaves become dull, green-blue in color and droop at the edges.
Calcium	The foliage begins to turn white and curl upward, then fall off.
Magnesium	The leaves become red, yellow or purple (they remain green along the edges and veins).
Copper	Despite good care of the apple tree, its leaves turn pale and brown spots. Then they become lifeless and mottled.
Phosphorus	The crown of the trees becomes dull, dark green with a bronze tint. Sometimes purple or red hues appear on the foliage.
Zinc	The leaves become very small, wrinkled and narrow, and acquire a speckled pattern.

Life-giving moisture

Timely watering is very important for apple trees. Many gardeners begin to water their trees whenever water is available. This is wrong!

For normal development of the tree, watering three times a day is sufficient (provided that the soil is saturated with moisture up to 80 cm).

First watering: during the flowering period (early summer).
Second watering: early July (time of rapid fruit ripening).
Third watering: October, before expected frosts.

In areas where climatic conditions are dry, it is better to increase the frequency of watering.

If the humidity is high or the summer is rainy, the amount of watering can be reduced.

Ideal water for apple trees should be at a temperature of +18-25° C.

Experienced gardeners When caring for an apple tree, it is advised to calculate the required amount of water, taking into account the age of the tree (how old it is - how many buckets of water it needs). According to accepted standards, a tree aged 1-2 years needs 4-5 buckets for watering, an adult fruit-bearing tree needs 7-10 buckets for each square meter of tree trunk perimeter.

Young trees need more moisture as they grow. They need to be watered 4-5 times per season.

Trees should be watered directly under the root neck. This way, water will penetrate the root faster.

It is better to water apple trees up to 3 years of age in the holes. For older trees, water can be added using a furrow method (the furrows are made 50-60 cm deep).

2-3 days after watering, loosen the soil and mulch it (you can use peat, humus, sand or sawdust).

If you water with a hose, make sure that the water pressure is directed along the perimeter of the entire crown.

Apple tree care, pruning features

For a good, rich harvest, apple trees need sunlight. To provide trees with access to necessary light and apple trees are pruned.

This operation is carried out in different times year:

◊ In spring. In March-April (before the period of leaf blossoming), when caring for an apple tree, pruning is carried out to form the crown of the tree.

At this time, the apple tree has the most highly developed regenerative abilities ( copious discharge The juice hasn’t started yet, so the wounds will heal faster and better).

◊ In summer. During this period, the apple tree has many young shoots - they need to be thinned out, the remaining ones should be diluted.

◊ In autumn. Autumn pruning prepares apple trees for winter. At this time, trees need to be freed from non-fruit-bearing shoots, overly large branches, and dried shoots.

Crown formation

Forming the crown of an apple tree can be done in several ways. All the proposed methods have one goal: to provide the tree with the correct balance between the main (central) conductor and the branches originating from it.

Crown formation options:

♦ Tiered-discharged. The easiest and most popular way to care for an apple tree. This formation increases the yield of the tree, while its appearance remains as natural as possible.

In the spring, we measure out a zone on the young seedling at a distance of 50 cm from the ground. Above this area we measure another area of 30 cm - this area (standard) is intended for the first order of the apple tree. The first order includes three main shoots.
After 10 months, shoots form in the trunk. They need to be removed. In the first row we keep a branch 30 cm long, then 2 shoots with a distance of 20 cm. All branches will be arranged in a mirror arrangement.
Next season we lay the next row at a distance of 45 cm after the previous zone.

Formation is complete. Now you need to promptly trim the growing main shoot from above the single branch.

The total height of such an apple tree should not exceed two meters.

♦ Spindle-shaped crown. This quick way(when caring for an apple tree, they cannot be processed large number branches). Full formation takes place in 3 years.

And the apple tree begins to bear fruit in the second season. The design represents a base shoot, from which central shoots diverge in different directions.

In the first year of life, we prune the apple tree, leaving small area skeleton
When the first shoots sprout on the frame, we create a second row, deflecting the central branches on different sides.
The frame is cut off again next year.
In the third year of operations, formation is completed.

During this time, the apple tree grows up to three meters. In the future, you need to promptly shorten the branch above any non-vertical shoot.

♦ Bowl-shaped crown. This technique is better suited for trees with poor growth. The method is a little similar to the tiered-discharged method, but has its own characteristics:

In the initial row, three branches are separated according to different directions so that the wiring angle is about 130º.
The main branch is cut at a distance of 45 cm from the trunk. It is shortened above the central shoot. We need to get two shoots from three separated branches.

The same procedure is carried out the next season when caring for the apple tree. At the same time, the tree will become stronger and stronger. His immunity will also increase.

♦ Vertical palmette. This method of formation is suitable for apple trees growing around the perimeter of the garden and creating a natural fence. This method will take 4 years to implement.

With this method, branches from the central trunk turn into a flat surface located on a horizontal line.

In each row on the tree trunk, all branches are cut off, leaving only a couple of branches growing in different directions.
All levels are symmetrically formed vertically with a distance of 80-90 cm.
All shoots appearing on the main shoots are bent. Apples will ripen on them in the future.
If the main branches have moved significantly away from the central part, they should be pulled up, and the shoots (if the slope is insufficient) should be pulled back.

With this method, the height of the tree can be adjusted by annually trimming the trunk and basic shoots. An apple tree can grow 2-3 meters in width.

Anti-aging pruning

Thanks to this method, when caring for an apple tree, you can endlessly get delicious fruits from it. To do this, you need to open the center of the tree as much as possible and thin out the remaining branches.

First of all, the central trunk is shortened by 1/3, then the thickened areas are thinned out. The cutting angle must be at least 45º.

This procedure is best carried out in the spring, when the tree is dormant and has no leaves.

Harvest time

So that our ripe apples can be stored for a long time (and the fruits autumn varieties can be stored until April), pick the fruits from the tree very carefully (work with cotton gloves so as not to damage the delicate skin).

There is no need to store stale or crushed fruits - they can be processed immediately.

Remove the apples together with the stalk - it helps long-term storage. A natural waxy coating forms on the fruits - no need to wipe it off, it protects the apples from drying out and the influence of various microorganisms, which will help in caring for the apple tree.

Harvesting should be done in dry weather and preferably in the afternoon.

◊ Apples of summer varieties. They begin to be collected in August. These types of apples do not last long.

But you can collect the fruits 2-3 weeks before full ripening and store them at a temperature of 0-3° C.

◊ Apples of autumn varieties. The fruits are harvested in late August-early September. During this period, they are not yet fully ripe and slightly sour.

Until they are fully ripened, they must be kept in storage for 2-3 weeks. With proper storage, apples of autumn varieties will delight you with taste for 3-4 months.

◊ Winter apples. They are removed in October. Freshly picked from the tree, they have harsh flesh and a sour taste.

They need about 2-3 months to ripen. But these varieties are stored for a very long time - until April.

How to properly store apples

Freshly picked fruits should be cooled to +4° C and immediately placed in storage.

As a rule, apples are stored in wooden boxes. But such containers have a drawback - the wood can rot.

Can also be used plastic containers(pre-washed and disinfected).

To improve the preservation of apples, the containers are filled with sawdust from hardwood trees.

It is better not to use conifers - they impart a characteristic resinous smell to the fruits.

There is also no need to use straw - it quickly becomes moldy.

Wood shavings should have no more than 15-20% moisture content.

It is also useful to arrange apple fruits with maple or oak leaves, peat chips, and dry moss. These plant components have antibacterial properties.

The apples are pre-sorted by variety, degree of ripeness and size. Large fruits ripen fastest.

Choose containers for storing them with small gaps.

Before placing apples there, treat the containers with bleach solution and dry thoroughly.
At the bottom of the box, place sheets of clean paper and sawdust in the amount necessary to completely cover the first layer of fruit.
Place the apples. It is better to isolate each fruit by wrapping it in paper. The very last layer of fruit is covered with paper leaves and covered with sawdust.
The container is sealed.

To insulate the layers of apples, they can be separated with pads made of cardboard or synthetic material. This will help prevent the spread of diseases in stored fruits and ensure their protection during transportation.

We have become acquainted with the basic rules for caring for apple trees, but mechanical care alone will not be enough for our garden.

It is equally important to love him and be grateful for the beauty and joy that he gives us!

And our garden will gladly protect us with its crown from the sun in the hot summer, delight us with the beauty of its flowering in the spring and, of course, give us a rich harvest of beautiful apples in the fall.

I wish you good luck, good harvests and that your garden never gets sick and pests do not bother it. But we will talk about the possibilities of our apple orchard in future articles.

I also suggest watching a video about caring for apple trees to “reinforce the material you have covered.”

See you soon, dear readers!

Spring is a busy and responsible time for any gardener. It is in the spring that the most important work on landscaping, caring for fruit crops and other plants.

The apple tree also requires special care: proper care is the key to a good harvest this season. We will learn how to properly care for an apple tree in the spring, and consider in detail all stages of the work.

You need to start caring for your apple tree as soon as the snow in the garden melts. Thus, in our climate, the start of work usually occurs at the end of March-April, in southern regions earlier. Gardeners are guided by the following criterion: as soon as the average temperature per day reaches zero degrees and slightly higher, then it’s time to begin spring care for fruit trees.

The main work for caring for an apple tree in spring is as follows:

Removing cover

It is necessary to free the fruit tree from its winter shelter during the period when the temperature at night no longer drops below zero, and during the day reaches +10-15 degrees. It is clear that in different regions In our country, this period begins at different times: earlier in the south, and later in the Urals.

They remove the cover and dig up the trunk not immediately, but in stages to allow the apple tree to adapt to the cool air gradually. Usually all work takes 3-4 days.

Whitewash

To protect the delicate bark of the tree from the bright spring sun and recurrent frosts, bottom part It is customary to whiten apple trees. The skeletal lower branches are also covered with a layer of white. Except weather conditions, whitewashing helps protect the plant from cracking of the bark, which occurs due to sudden temperature changes.

Protective whitewashing is especially important for young apple trees, whose bark is still tender and thin. Whitewashing is done anew every spring, since the coating cannot survive autumn rains and winter snows.

Gardeners usually breed whitewash themselves, using the following ingredients:

lime;
copper sulfate;
garden glue;
water.

You can also whitewash wood and acrylic paint, which is more stable and is guaranteed to last on the trunk throughout the growing season. Keep in mind, however, that acrylic composition will cost more.

The most popular and easiest to prepare is the following composition:

lime - 300 gr;
water - 2 liters;
stationery glue - 2 full tbsp. spoons.

Copper sulfate added to the mixture will help better protection from diseases and pests. Whitewash should be applied in a uniform thin layer and only in dry weather.

Important: the indicated composition is more suitable for mature and already fruit-bearing trees. It is customary to care for seedlings using ordinary chalk whitewash.

Damage repair

After removing the cover, it is necessary to carefully and thoroughly inspect the tree. Often during the winter the apple tree is damaged by rodents or some of its branches freeze out.

If superficial wounds are found, they should be immediately covered with garden varnish. In the case where the wounds are deep and reach the wood, the apple tree is grafted with a bridge using a large number of shoots. This method helps save the plant from infection, and the wound heals quickly.

Exposure to frost can damage the bark, cracking and peeling, exposing unprotected wood. In this case, it is necessary to clean the damaged area and then cover it with varnish.

The damage is treated to eliminate the possibility of the tree getting an infection. Use garden varnish or commercial putty. In extreme cases, you can cover up the damaged areas with oil paint.

Important: When buying putty in a store, make sure that it does not contain rosin, which can harm the tree.

Trimming

This procedure is carried out differently for adult fruiting plants and young apple trees. Next, we will take a closer look at the advice of experienced gardeners regarding this difficult issue.

The first step for trees of any age is to carry out sanitary pruning. During the winter, the apple tree is exposed to severe frosts, winds, and can also be chewed by pests. In the spring, it is necessary to inspect the branches and remove damaged, frozen, or broken ones.

Pruning is carried out only when the air temperature reaches above zero. In frosty weather, the procedure is not carried out, since in this case even greater injuries will be caused to the tree. The fact is that wood in frost is very fragile and brittle, it does not recover and heal well.

Spring pruning scheme:

Damaged branches are removed - the so-called sanitary stage.
The crown is thinned out - branches growing inwards that are too thick are removed.
If necessary, the top of the main trunk is shortened.
Shoots grown over last year, shorten.

The last operation is carried out taking into account the age of the apple tree:

in the 2nd year and up to 5-7 years - cut short, no more than a quarter of the length of the shoot in order to enhance their growth;
up to 10-12 years - cut by a third so that there is good harvest:
after 12 years, each shoot is shortened by half for rejuvenating purposes.

Spring pruning does not necessarily imply treating the cuttings with garden varnish. Process only cuts on weak and diseased trees; young and healthy trees will quickly recover and actively grow without help.

Sanitary pruning is carried out starting from the top of the plant - if the apple tree is more than 7 years old. In this case, the apical branches do not provide any practical benefit, but only get in the way and add trouble. However, the top of young apple trees is not removed, allowing the tree to grow. After work with the top, diseased and damaged branches are removed.

After correct pruning the crown of the tree begins to be well ventilated, which helps protect it from fungus and mold. In addition, pruning makes it possible to increase the productivity of the apple tree and make it more convenient collection fruits

When forming the crown of young apple trees special attention should be given to skeletal branches located in the first and second row from the bottom. In the first row, the skeletal branches should be located at a distance of 40-70 cm from each other. In the second row, the branches should be located at the same distance and look to the sides or up.

If the apple tree has reached a height of 4 meters, its top must be shortened, otherwise harvesting on the upper branches will be difficult. And treating tall apple trees against pests/diseases is difficult and ineffective.

After the tree reaches 12-15 years, it is necessary to either get rid of it or carry out anti-aging pruning. The fact is that without this procedure, the yield of an apple tree decreases significantly with age. Anti-aging pruning involves removing one third of the length of all branches and shoots and activates vitality plants.

If, after rejuvenating pruning carried out for three consecutive years, the apple tree has not come to life and has not begun to produce a decent harvest, it is recommended to get rid of the tree and plant a new one.

Attention: all branches, bark, shoots that are cut must be removed from the site and burned: they may contain pests and sources of infection.

Disease and pest control

Protection against weevils using hunting belts is especially effective. But the devices must wrap around the tree trunk very tightly so as not to leave loopholes for insects.

Pest control also includes preventative spraying. The procedures are carried out in three stages:

before the buds appear;
during the formation of buds;
after flowering.

Preparations suitable for spring treatment of apple trees against pests and diseases:

Inta-Vir;
Fury;
Strobe et al.

These drugs help with almost all diseases.

Attention: When the buds begin to form, it is better to remove pests manually so that pollinating insects are not harmed by the chemicals.

Graft

The procedure for grafting fruit trees and apple trees, among others, is almost always carried out in the spring. The timing is due to the fact that at the beginning of active sap flow, the scion takes root especially quickly and successfully.

Grafting can be aimed both at breeding a new variety of apple tree and at increasing the fruiting of an existing one. Optimal choice time - the beginning of May: it is at this time that active sap flow begins in the trees.

Vaccination can be done in different ways:

into the cleft;
for bark, etc.

Into the cleft

The simplest and most common grafting method. The good thing about this method is that it is suitable for scion with different diameters. The method involves making a cross-shaped hole in the rootstock into which the lower part of the scion cutting is inserted. The junction is fixed, covered with varnish and after some time the graft takes root.

For the bark

Suitable for scion of large and medium diameter. To implement the method, you need to cut the branch onto the rootstock where the cutting will be grafted. The diameters of the cut branch and the lower part of the cutting should be approximately the same. The stump should remain beveled: the same oblique cut must be made on the lower part of the cutting.

The bark at the end of the rootstock needs to be moved a little and the scion inserted as tightly as possible. The joint is fixed and covered with varnish, as usual. The survival rate of the cuttings in this case is higher than with the “split” method.

Fertilizing in spring

Spring care for an apple tree must also include the application of fertilizers. But before applying fertilizer, be sure to remove weeds from the garden bed and loosen the soil.

Loosen carefully so as not to touch the roots of the tree with a shovel or pitchfork. After the soil has become light and permeable, make small ditches in it, into which nutrients will be placed.

Feeding for the first time fruit crop as soon as the snow melts.

Nitrogen compounds are used to help the apple tree gain green mass faster:

calcium nitrate;
ammonium nitrate;
bird droppings;
aged manure.

When the buds begin to form, you should focus on potassium and mineral compounds, but still with nitrogen:

wood ash;
urea;
mullein;
potassium sulfate.

When the flowering period is over, you should stop feeding the apple tree with nitrogen. The fact is that nitrogen leads to active growth of leaves and shoots, and after flowering the formation of fruit ovaries is important. It is recommended to feed the apple tree with herbal infusion, as well as phosphorus and potassium at the end of spring.

You can feed trees with nitroammophos, urea and humus in the spring. This composition is well suited for depleted soil and mature trees.

superphosphate - 1 kg,
potassium sulfate - 300 g;
mullein - bucket;
water - 300 gr.

All components are thoroughly mixed and then left for a week. One apple tree uses 40 liters of this fertilizer. This nutritional supplement will revive and activate the plant, adding strength to it. It is necessary to water the plant abundantly before and after fertilizing.

Manure for apple trees is usually diluted in a ratio of 1:10, bird droppings - 1:15, boric acid and copper sulfate - 1:15, wood ash - 1 tbsp. - 1 liter.

Each time after the next application of fertilizers, loosen the soil again shallowly.

Watering, loosening the soil and mulching

After the snow melts, the soil is usually saturated with moisture, so the apple tree does not need watering at first. However, if the spring is dry, soil moisture is necessary in the future. If the soil is not moistened, ovaries and fruits will form on the tree in insufficient quantities. Regular watering is especially important for young plants under 5-6 years old.

The soil is moistened once every 5-6 days, but at the same time focusing on weather conditions.

Watering rates are selected depending on the age of the tree:

young apple trees (up to 5 years) are watered more often, but in a smaller volume - up to 2 years, two buckets of water per 1m2 of soil, from 2 to 5 years, 4 buckets per 1m2 of soil;
mature fruit-bearing trees are watered less frequently, but more abundantly - the soil should be wet to a depth of 80 cm.

Attention: Provide the root zone with a drain for water, since its stagnation at the roots threatens the apple tree with rotting of the root collar.

Loosening

After watering, the soil must be loosened to remove the dense dry crust on the surface. The procedure will provide air access to the roots and help eliminate weeds.

Mulching

The procedure is also carried out after watering in order to ensure longer hydration of the roots. Mulch the root circle with peat or dry straw. Sawdust is not used, as it acidifies the soil when decomposed.

The mulch layer should not exceed 3-5 cm, and it should not be placed near the trunk. Failure to comply with these recommendations can lead to damping off of the bark in the lower part of the trunk and the development of fungus and rotting.

Protection against return frosts in spring

In some regions with unstable cool weather, return frosts are possible when the leaves on the apple tree have already blossomed and the buds have swelled. You should carefully monitor the spring weather forecast and prepare if weather forecasters promise frosts this night.

In this case, the crown of the plant is usually sprayed with water from a hose so that the leaves are wet. After frost hits, the water droplets use up their heat to warm the foliage. The procedure is effective, however, only in calm conditions.

In windy weather, the smoke method is more suitable. It consists of setting fire to a pile of garbage, dry branches, brushwood, grass, sawdust in an area next to an apple tree. All this is sprinkled with moist soil. A stake should be driven into the middle of the heap, which is removed before setting fire: the smoke coming from the hole will help protect the tree from the cold.

If frosts strike when the foliage has not yet formed, the apple tree is not in danger.

Young trees need to be cared for especially carefully, since their immunity is not yet strong enough. At least until the tree begins to bear fruit.

It is especially important to regularly water young apple trees, since lack of water or drought can even cause the trees to die. Be sure to mulch the soil after moistening so that the plant roots are moistened longer.

Aphids cause more damage to young fruit trees - the fight against this pest should begin from the moment the first greenery is formed and even earlier.

Clean the root circle of young plants from weeds, which take away nutrition from apple trees and are a haven for pests.

Mature trees are in greater need of anti-aging pruning - this is the main thing. Other procedures, of course, will not be superfluous for them either.

So, we found out what kind of care an apple tree needs in the spring. There are many procedures - all of them are necessary and useful. A set of properly carried out procedures will help protect the plant and ensure excellent harvest this year.

With the onset of warm spring days, summer residents have a lot to do outside. In particular, you need to pay attention to all points. At the same time, one cannot forget about the apple trees. The gardener must inspect the apple trees and find out:

Which ones overwintered?
What kind of damage from cold winters and pests is there on the bark of trees?
Which branches need to be removed.

All this is necessary for further development and stable yields. It is recommended to carry out the work itself when the snow melts and the temperature is above zero. These conditions are different for climatic zones: from the first ten days of March to the second ten days of April. Let's look at the main work.

Removing covering material from fruit tree trunks

What will it be like to care for apple trees in the spring? Let's look at this question in great detail. First of all, it is worth removing the covering material from the trees. Opening fruit trees, depending on the type, variety and climatic zones, should begin gradually at daytime temperatures of 11-16 degrees, and at night to zero. You should also remember that return frosts may return.

Treatment of damage and wounds on apple trees

It is worth noting that caring for apple trees includes many aspects. In particular, pest control must be carried out. As soon as the covering material is removed, they begin to inspect the trunk and bark on the tree trunk.

If you find trunks gnawed and eaten from below by small rodents (mice), such areas should be treated with garden varnish. If more than 50% of the trunk of the tree bark is damaged, it is necessary to graft it with bridges, using an annual shoot, and preferably the shoots from this wild tree.

When peeling and cracking of tree bark caused by severe frosts it is necessary to clean the separated fragments of bark and treat it with garden varnish.

Whitewashing a tree trunk

Before starting work with whitewashing, it is necessary to prepare the wood itself well. In this case, the following is removed: moss, lichens, exfoliated bark and growths. After which it is important to treat the damage to the trunk.

Then begin preparing the white solution:

1 kilogram of lime,
bucket of water,
200 grams copper sulfate(iron can be used) or spreading paint on acrylic for whitewashing.

This composition is used during the treatment of garden trees. Whitewashing protects trees from sunburn and temperature changes during the day and night. In addition, a layer of whitewash will prevent the bark from cracking and peeling. As a result, the tree trunk will become relatively smooth.

Be sure to pay attention to the soil around the tree. In particular, a rake is used to remove fallen leaves, missing apples and the remains of small branches during shaping and pruning.

Pruning and shaping the tree crown

An apple tree on your site will take pride of place if its planting and care are carried out correctly. You can use instructions as well as photos in this process. Pruning plays a key role. Pruning of apple trees begins in February and continues until the second or third ten days of April.

Each apple tree variety requires individual approach. First, let's look at an adult fruit-bearing tree. The following are subject to removal:

Branches that grow towards the trunk
Branches that intersect and cause friction against each other
Branches that look and grow downward (this is necessary to raise the crown and improve soil cultivation of the apple tree),
Branches that grow frequently and thicken the space and do not allow other branches to grow and develop,
Tops that grow straight and begin to fatten, forming a “second tree,” which leads to the depletion of the main trunk,
Also, shoots and debris from the tree and on the trunk must be removed.
Dry and broken branches still need to be cut out.

All affected branches are removed and burned to prevent the spread of the disease in the garden.

If the tree is old and its age is over 15 years, then it must be pruned using the rejuvenation method. All branches of the crown are shortened to the area of dormant buds in order to further provoke and awaken dormant buds to grow and cut out old and diseased branches. Next year, among these numerous young shoots, it is necessary to select strong shoots and in the third year you can get the first harvest from rejuvenating the tree.

With the method described above, it is not recommended to shorten the branches to the cushion and spear. It is necessary to prune mature trees in parts of one third or one quarter of the crown of the apple tree every year. This should be done so that after three to four years the entire tree is trimmed. This is necessary for uniform development without creating a shock for the tree.

If it is a young seedling or a tree that bears fruit. Then the seedling is removed:

branches that grow under acute angle. In the future, these branches will break under the weight of the harvest and cause a wound to the tree trunk;
branches that grow inward towards the trunk,
standing branches that grow down to the ground

In this case, only large, skeletal branches should be left for further formation of the tree on them.

Disease prevention and pest control

Disease prevention itself in spring includes three periods.

The first is before the buds bloom on the apple tree. The branches, trunk and ground around the tree are subject to treatment.
The second is processed before flowering.
And the third after flowering 14 days later.

Grafting a tree in spring

Grafting is necessary to rejuvenate the garden, develop new varieties, save space and when there is not enough land on the site. The recommended time for this procedure is the last ten days of April to the first ten days of May. It is advisable to do this before the start of sap flow.

For this operation you need to prepare the following tool:

A knife (regular or special for garden grafting will need to be disinfected),
Winding material (iso tape or special oculated polyethylene tape),
Secateurs,
A clean cloth for wiping the instrument,
Cuttings and garden var.

There are the following types of grafting: copulation, budding, cleft grafting, bark grafting. Everyone chooses at their own discretion.

Apple tree care

It often happens that an apple tree needs watering before the flowering period. In the future, lack of moisture can affect flowering and fruits. To retain moisture in the stem circles for a long time, the soil must be mulched with straw. For seedlings under 5 years of age, water once a week, and fruit-bearing trees need to complicate the soil in stem circles to a depth of 75 cm-85 cm. Afterwards, the soil must be loosened in a circle to allow air circulation at the roots of the tree, preventing the root collar from becoming damp.

They begin to fertilize apple trees when the snow melts. At this point, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied to develop leaves and accelerate growth. Before flowering, apple trees are fertilized with potassium-containing fertilizers (ash, urea, mullein); after flowering, they are fertilized with phosphorus and potassium.

Mistakes in caring for apple trees

Incorrect technique for caring for apple trees leads to damage or loss of yield. It can also lead to the death of the tree itself. Typical example They planted a seedling and forgot to water it, then it begins to grow from the reserve of moisture in the soil; if there is a lack of it, it begins to hurt, wither and dry out. And vice versa, with excess and frequent watering the tree begins to slow down its development and often stands in one pore. It does not grow; the foliage changes color to autumn ocher and then turns brown. The root system gets wet and the tree disappears,

Another example was that they were pruned incorrectly, leaving tops or removing branches that contained cushions or did not form a central conductor. But the tree grows like a bush or, on the contrary, it was pruned delicately and as a result the tree is thickened and does not produce the harvest it could. The third mistake is that the control of pests and insects is not carried out correctly; the terms of treatment against rodents, insects and diseases are not observed, which leads to loss and reduction in the quality of the fruit.

And the fourth mistake - incorrect or untimely whitewashing can also harm the bark of the apple tree.

In conclusion

We briefly reviewed the scope of care work apple orchard. To summarize, I would like to say that only by observing the deadlines for certain works described here, you can get a good harvest from the apple tree. And you need to put your soul into growing seedlings so that later the apple tree that grows from the seedling can please you with its tasty and aromatic apple fruit.

In order to harvest a good harvest of apples in the fall, it is necessary to take timely care of fruit-bearing trees that need special care with the onset of spring. Experienced gardeners know all the intricacies of caring for apple trees and, without waiting for all the snow to melt, they arm themselves necessary tools and go to the garden.

Of course, all fertile trees require care. all year round. But with the onset of warm weather, when all living things come out of hibernation and experience some stress, the need for preliminary work increases.

Don’t be afraid to spend your own time, as it will fully pay off with the arrival of autumn - it’s time to reap the benefits. A lack of care work gardening can lead to:

to various kinds of diseases;
to drying of the trunk or crown;
to the appearance of pests;
to sunburn or frostbite.

Whitewashing the trunk

Only young trees that need protection from sunlight are whitewashed. Apple trees over fifteen years old have a fully formed bark structure, so they are not exposed to the sun and do not need to be processed.

Best carry out whitewashing work at the beginning of March or at the end of February. As coloring matter garden paint is used on acrylic base. As a rule, the lower part of the trunk is processed, starting from the ground and ending with the skeletal branches.

Spring whitewashing has the greatest effect and provides protection against burns for a long time. If the treatment is carried out in the summer when it’s hot, then the layer of paint will perform more decorative function than protective.

Recovery from winter damage

After winter, brown spots or peeling of the bark in some places are quite often observed on the trunk. This is the result of frostbite in the upper layers of the tree. What should I do? to cure an apple tree:

If the peeling is insignificant, it is enough to carefully cut off the excess bark and lubricate the resulting exposure of the trunk with varnish. In the future, the wound will heal on its own.
If the detachment occupies half the diameter of the trunk or more, it is recommended to graft with a bridge. In this case, cuttings from frost-resistant varieties of apple trees or from damaged wood are used.

In addition to frostbite of the bark in winter may be damaged by rodents or hares:

If the damage is minor, it is enough to lubricate it with a specially prepared varnish.
If the damage is more significant, it is necessary to resort to bridge grafting.

Pruning an old tree

Many gardeners believe that apple trees over 15 years old should be replaced with young plants. But this opinion is far from a rule, and old plants in most cases continue to please their owners with a good harvest if they are properly cared for.

Trimming Features:

It is best to do this in March, when the air temperature stabilizes in the warm range and does not fall below -10°C;
An old apple tree should be processed until the wood reaches 3-4 years old, and in some cases, if the tree is very old, up to 7-9 years old;
in the absence of new growths over the past few years, semi-skeletal and skeletal branches are shortened. Fruit formations can also be pruned;
the main reference point for pruning is the zone of dormant buds located in the lower part of the shoot. It is not recommended to shorten an apple tree into rings or fruit.

If the pruning procedure is carried out correctly, after a year young branches will appear, which must be thinned out if necessary. In the second year after pruning fruits will appear, and on the third the plant will begin to bear fruit.

Pruning a young tree

as in the previous case, pruning is carried out with the onset of spring;
the treatment is carried out to regulate the growth and fruiting of the tree;
annual plants, as a rule, do not have significant branching, so it is enough to prune them at a level of one meter from the soil. If there are side shoots, they are removed at a height of half a meter;
It is important to remove young branches that form sharp angles with the trunk, as they may break off in the future under the weight of the fruit.

Pruning of two-year-old seedlings is carried out in a similar way. Only left the highest quality and strongest branches, which in the future will become skeletal. Maximum length of the lower branches should not exceed 30 cm and decrease as you move upward along the trunk.

Spring feeding

Why is it necessary? fertilize in a timely manner:

to regulate growth and skeletal formation;
to develop immunity against various diseases and pests;
for the formation of a rich harvest in the fall.

At the beginning of the growing season, each tree needs nitrogen fertilizing. It is not necessary to go to the store to purchase the necessary drug; there is always the opportunity to prepare it yourself. To do this, you can take bird droppings, rotted manure or peat - fertilizers that effectively affect the development of fertile trees. It is better to dilute organic substances with water in a ratio of 30 g per 10 l, so as not to harm the root system.

Option scattering of saltpeter balls directly onto unmelted snow or ice near the apple tree - not always effective. In this case, the main part of the fertilizer can be washed away by melt water. Therefore, it is first necessary to dig up the soil or loosen it when the snow finally melts.

During the flowering period, young plants need additional feeding with organic substances, such as urea. To do this, the fertilizer is diluted in water in a ratio of 25 g per 10 liters and infused for 4-5 days. Feeding young apple trees involves watering with the infused mixture three times a day with half-month breaks.

Information about fertilizers can always be obtained from specialized stores, as well as clarify details proper feeding and frequency.

Protection from pests and diseases

The first pest control measures should be applied simultaneously with the appearance of the first thawed patches. As traps for rodents and insects adhesive belts are used, which are tightly tied at the foot of each apple tree. This method does not allow the pest to penetrate to the base and damage the bark.

The procedure for spraying with chemicals also occurs in the first month of spring. It is first necessary to remove from the tree all lichens formed during the winter and damaged bark. Soil treatment chemicals and whitewashing the trunk with a limestone-based solution will destroy pests that overwintered under the bark.

Especially in April apple blossom beetle is dangerous. To fix this problem you need to:

gird the trunk with hunting belts;
Carry out another spraying with biological preparations.

During the period of formation and blossoming of buds, all spraying procedures are undesirable, as they can be harmful to pollinating insects. Therefore, it is better to collect pests by hand without the use of catch belts and chemicals.

After flowering, approximately in the second half of May, pests appear that harm the leaves and fruits. At the stage of fruit formation, spraying does not cause harm, therefore it is considered the most in an efficient way struggle.

Which drug to choose for spraying

Insecticides - preparations for spraying - classified into two groups:

contact. Most often used in the initial stages of care in early March, they help destroy winter pests. The destructive effect occurs when the insect comes into direct contact with the chemical. Remains effective for one week in dry weather. Contact preparations are easily washed off by rain;
systemic. They tend to penetrate the plant or fruit, and the pests die as a result of poisoning. More durable than contact agents and can remain effective for a month. Systemic preparations are usually used in April when re-processing the garden. The poisonous substance does not harm human body, since it quickly breaks down and completely loses its effect until the fruit ripens.

Frost protection

No one is immune from frosts in the spring, so it is necessary to anticipate this undesirable phenomenon for the garden. There are two methods of protection:

water protection. If frosts are expected at night, it is recommended to spray the crown of the tree with water from a hose, and it is best, if possible, that this procedure does not stop until the sun appears. The ice crust transfers heat to the leaves and allows them to be safe. It is not recommended to resort to water protection in windy weather, because the effect in such conditions is completely opposite;
smoke protection. To do this, a stake is first driven into the ground, around which a pile of sawdust, peat and dry leaves is formed. Before the cold night, the stake is removed and the pile is set on fire. The smoke will flow directly through the hole, forming a protective shell for the apple tree throughout the night.

Watering and loosening the soil around the trunk

The garden especially needs additional watering after winters with little precipitation, since the available moisture may not be enough until the leaves completely bloom.

Young trees planted last fall or early spring needs to be watered intensively with an interval of 5-6 days. After watering, the soil is loosened a little - to avoid the appearance of a crust.

In order for the soil near the trunk to retain moisture longer, it is mulched with straw or peat, but it is necessary take into account the following nuances:

Sawdust cannot be used as mulch, as it increases the acidity of the soil;
it is important to ensure that the bark does not begin to warm, as these are the first signs of a fungal disease;
large piles of straw provide excellent hiding places for rodents that can cause damage, so care must be taken to ensure that the mulch does not harbor any unwanted inhabitants.

Planting and caring for seedlings

Planting of seedlings can be done both in early spring and autumn. When choosing a warm season, it is advisable to plant before the buds open, since in this case the tree takes root quickly and better. In the future, it is necessary to monitor regular watering and fertilizing of the soil.

First of all, it is necessary select and prepare a place for a young apple tree. It is not recommended to plant a seedling if a fertile plant previously grew in this place. The optimal distance from the boundary for tall varieties is 3 m, for short varieties - 2 m. The location must also be taken into account groundwater, if their depth is less than one meter, hills are first filled. The suitable depth of groundwater is 1.5 m.

Before planting, the root of the seedling is placed in water for about a day to restore the water balance. Excess parts of the root system are carefully trimmed using sharp knife or a saw so as not to damage the remaining root in any way. The desired pit depth for seedlings ranges from 50-70 cm and depends on the soil; the diameter of the hole should not be less than 80-100 cm.

Experienced gardeners know all the nuances of caring for their own fertile trees. It is important to follow them in order to get a rich harvest every year. Always necessary remember about timely watering and fertilizing, about protection from pests and unwanted diseases, otherwise the garden will turn into a small patch of forest.

Whitewashing an apple tree trunk in spring

In February - early March, when the sun can damage the smooth bark of young apple trees, they need to be painted from the ground to the skeletal branches with a special acrylic-based garden paint. This whitewash remains on the tree for a long time, is not washed off by rain and does not fall off in frost. After the snow melts, whitewashing trees as protection from the sun is useless; it will only be of a decorative nature. In trees older than 10–15 years, the bark is almost not subject to burns, and there is no need to bleach the trunks.

Treatment of winter damage to apple trees

In early to mid-March, after the snow has melted, inspect the lower part of the apple tree trunk. If the bark shows signs of damage by rodents, urgent measures must be taken. It is enough to cover up surface damage with garden varnish.

If the bark is eaten in a “ring” all the way to the wood, graft with a bridge, using maximum quantity Cherenkov.

In winter, the bark of the apple tree is also damaged by frost. This manifests itself as brown spots on the trunk, sometimes the damaged bark bursts and separates from the wood. Early spring cut off the edges of the bark that have separated from the trunk and coat the cuts with varnish. If the damage is not very extensive, then over time the wound will heal completely. In case of severe damage, when the detached part occupies half or more of the trunk diameter, graft with a bridge.

Use cuttings from a damaged tree or taken from other frost-resistant varieties, such as Antonovka.

Spring pruning of apple tree

Apple tree pruning can begin in March, when the air temperature does not drop below –10 °C, and continue until a green cone appears at the buds (in April).

The crown of young trees is formed, paying special attention to strengthening the skeletal branches of the first and second order.

During pruning, shoots are removed that may shield the branches formed in previous years from the sun and extending at an acute angle from the trunk. The distance between the skeletal branches of the first order should be at least 40–70 cm. The branches of the second order are cut out so that they remain looking to the sides and slightly upward. In old trees, dry branches are cut out first.

If the tree is taller than 4–4.5 m, then its height is reduced. You can determine the optimal height of the tree by standing on the top platform of a stepladder (8 steps) and stretching your arm up. At this height, it is convenient to treat the tree with chemicals against pests and harvest.

When the crown is reduced, they begin to thin it. The same principle applies here as in the formation young tree– all main branches must have sufficient distance between them, and the upper branches should not obscure the lower ones.

Work with hand pruners and a garden saw. It is better not to use air pruners as they make it very difficult to cut the branches correctly.

Spring treatments for apple trees against diseases and pests

In March, as soon as thawed patches begin to appear around the trees, it is time to install adhesive trapping belts on the trunks to protect them from crawling wintering pests. This protective measure is especially effective against the flower beetle weevil.

The belt should fit tightly to the tree trunk to prevent insects from getting through.

The second spraying is done after flowering, when fruit buds become noticeable. At this moment, a new wave of insect activation and the maturation of harmful fungal spores begins. It is undesirable to use highly toxic drugs; it is better to use bacterial ones: “Lepidotsid”, “Bitoxibacillin” or “Fitoverm” and “Akarin”.

Spray trees in dry weather. For potent systemic drugs, such as “Skor”, “Chorus”, “Aktelik”, 4-5 hours are enough for their effect to appear. As a rule, two spring treatments strong preparations are enough to ensure the health of the garden for the entire season.

Apple tree grafting

In May, when the leaves have already blossomed and intensive sap flow has begun, you can graft new varieties into the crown of your apple trees.

Vaccinations can be done until the end of May using cuttings stored from the winter. The success of such operations at this time reaches more than 90%.

Winter grafting of apple trees.

Apple trees should not be fed by simply scattering fertilizer over the surface. They will either be used by the grass or washed away by meltwater. There is also no need to spread manure on top of the snow cover. Such an operation will only reduce the rate of snow melting.

In April, it is better to apply fertilizers to the soil under the turf layer to a depth of 20–25 cm, piercing the ground along the perimeter of the crown with a crowbar or digging holes. Approximately a handful of complex granular fertilizer is poured into each depression and covered with soil on top. This feeding is enough for 2-3 years. You can add 500 g of urea or 5 buckets of humus to the tree trunk circle. Additional fertilizing of the fruit tree is necessary in case of severely depleted soil, for example, when planting a garden on sandy soils or drained swamps. Usually fruit tree Fertilizers added to the planting hole last for a long time.

If you observe inhibition of crown development, at the beginning of flowering, dissolve 300 g of potassium sulfate, 1 kg of superphosphate, 10 liters of mullein in a barrel of water, leave for a week and water the trees at the rate of 40–50 liters per tree.

After the start of fruiting (at the end of May), the tree is fed, excluding nitrogen fertilizers and increasing the potassium and phosphorus component. These two components stimulate the formation of flower buds, and accordingly increase the yield of the tree.

A complete apple tree care calendar.

After winters with little snow, by the time the leaves on the trees fully bloom, there may no longer be enough moisture in the soil. If the spring is quite dry, warm, and there is no rain, then young trees and seedlings planted in spring or autumn need to be watered at least once every 4–5 days. This also applies to young trees, up to 5–6 years old.

After watering, it is advisable to loosen the soil shallowly - this prevents the formation of a crust on the soil.

To maintain soil moisture, you can mulch the tree trunk circle with straw or peat, but not sawdust, this material increases the acidity of the soil. Do not place mulch in a thick layer around trees, leaning it against the tree trunk. Harmful insects and mice can live there, a thick layer of mulch remains wet for a long time, and the bark can begin to become warm, and this will lead to the tree becoming infected with fungal diseases.

How to protect an apple tree from frost

If frost is possible, spray the crowns of the apple trees with a hose and sprayer the night before so that droplets of water abundantly cover all the leaves. If you can do this, then it is best to continue sprinkling until dawn. Water drops, freezing, will give up their heat to the leaves. This method only works in calm weather. If there is wind, sprinkling the crown of the apple tree is strictly forbidden; in this case, it gives the opposite effect. If the buds have not yet opened, then a decrease in temperature causes practically no noticeable harm.

The way to protect a blooming yal tree garden is to create smoke. Place piles of sawdust, fallen leaves, grass, and peat around a stake driven into the ground. Sprinkle the pile with damp soil on top. In the evening before frost, remove the stake and set the pile on fire. The hole from the stake will serve as a chimney. A pile with a diameter of 1.5 meters and a height of 50 cm is capable of protecting a garden area of one hundred square meters for one night.

How to replant an apple tree

Replant trees better in spring before the leaves bloom, then the root system is better restored. Before digging, you need to pour plenty of soil over an area equal to the projection of the crown.

It is quite easy to dig up and replant a tree under 3 years of age, but it will lose part of the root system. However, when quickly transferring to another place, abundant watering and with fairly severe pruning, it will survive and recover over time.

How to plant an apple tree seedling correctly.

It is more difficult to transplant older trees (4–6 years old), because you need to preserve as many roots as possible. Make a ditch along the perimeter of the crown, at the same time cutting off any roots that come across and gradually going deeper by 1.5–2 shovels. Next, carefully dig up the resulting lump towards the tap root, which then needs to be cut off. Move the tree to a new location along with a lump of earth. After transplanting, water the tree generously. To bring the crown into line with the damaged root system, perform heavy pruning, leaving the central conductor, several skeletal branches and a minimum number of second-order branches and last year's growth.

It happens that the apple tree dies and the tree has to be uprooted. If you want to preserve this variety, cut a healthy branch and graft it onto another apple tree. Is it possible to plant a new apple tree in this place? Of course you can. The causative agents of apple tree diseases, including black cancer, are not transmitted through soil. To plant a new apple tree, level the edges of the hole after uprooting the stump. Mix the soil that was removed from the hole with peat, manure and sand (if the site clay soil). Mix well and pour back into the hole so that a small mound, 25–30 cm high, is formed above it. Drive a stake into the center of the mound, to which you will then tie the planted seedling.

How to choose and buy a good apple tree seedling

It is better to buy seedlings with an open root system when the ground is ready for digging. It is not recommended to store them for a long time without soil. Wrap the roots of the apple tree in a damp cloth, place in a bag and store in a cool, dark place, such as a basement, but no more than 3-4 days. You can plant an apple tree in the garden as soon as you can stick a shovel into the ground. At this time, the ground has already thawed, and its moisture makes it possible for the apple tree seedling to receive as much water as it needs.