When to plant seedlings of fruit trees - in spring or autumn? The opinions of gardeners regarding the timing of the purchase and planting of seedlings differ. Someone argues that it is best to buy seedlings in the fall, since at this time of the year there is a large selection of plants in nurseries. It is also believed that in the fall, buried seedlings will be better preserved on the site. It should be borne in mind that in the spring during the planting period, fruit trees may die due to inconsistent weather. Often it gets too hot in May, and the seedlings suffer from such extreme temperature fluctuations.

Nevertheless, many experts believe that trees planted in autumn will not get strong enough before winter and will simply freeze in the cold season. Along with freezing, they can be severely damaged by mice and hares. Animals harm not only planted, but also buried seedlings.

Optimal planting period

In which month it is better to plant seedlings of plants should be produced from April 15 to May 15. If you want to plant seedlings in the fall, this should be done no later than October 15th.

It is better to plant shrubs right away in the place where they will always grow. This is necessary so that the plants have time to take root before the start of the growing season.

Conditions for planting trees

In what month is it better to plant fruit tree seedlings? Planting dates should be limited to a relatively warm season, when the air temperature exceeds 0 ° C. This is necessary for better plant survival (the formation of roots through which they receive moisture and the necessary survival time is from 2 to 2.5 months.

Often, plants planted in the fall and survived the winter die from excess moisture, because they do not have time to get stronger. This occurs as a result of long standing melt and rainwater, which makes it difficult for oxygen to reach fragile roots. This happens especially often on clay soils. All of this indicates that trees are best planted in spring. Trees should be repotted at rest, when they have already shed their leaves.

Most often it happens that nurseries and gardeners who grow planting material, due to certain circumstances, dig up the plants in the fall. Therefore, at this time, a fairly large selection of plants appears on the markets compared to spring.

Buying trees

Now that it has become clear in what month to plant seedlings of fruit trees, you can buy plants. Planting material should be chosen carefully, paying attention to their root system. The roots must be strong and well developed. It is best to buy a tree immediately with an earthy ball, while making sure it is moist enough is important. A seedling that is too dry may not take root and die. There should be no damage to the barrel. It is recommended to ask the seller where the seedling has the grafting site, as well as the root collar. It is important to get from him as much information as possible about the purchased fruit tree.

Transportation of fruit plants

How to properly transport purchased seedlings so as not to damage them? This question is especially relevant when buying large trees. The fruit tree must be carefully and neatly packed, paying special attention to the root system. Otherwise, when transported on the roof of a car, the plant will be severely damaged, and a good kindling for a fire will be delivered to the site instead of planting material.

The process of planting seedlings purchased in late autumn

In what month should seedlings of fruit trees be planted in spring, if they were purchased in late autumn? Such plants should be planted from about mid-April, when the soil has completely thawed out. To preserve trees until spring, they need to be dug in for the winter. This can be done both on the site and in the subfield of the barn. Sprinkle the seedling with peat, earth, sand and sawdust. Before planting in a permanent place, the tree should not dry out or suffer from excess moisture. The plants should be kept in the shade, covered with boards so that the early spring rays of the sun do not burn them, and the buds do not bloom before planting in a permanent place.

To dig in the plant, you need to make a hole about 50 cm deep. It is important that the south wall is beveled at an angle of 45 °. Seedlings should be laid on it. Then the roots are covered with earth, and more earth is sprinkled on top. The branches of the seedlings are tied and wrapped with branches of spruce branches (needles downward) to protect them from mice and other rodents. Simple elastic tights are also suitable for this.

When to plant seedlings of fruit trees in the spring, if they were dug in for the winter? It is imperative to wait for the ground to thaw. Frozen soil must not be removed from the trench, since it will not be possible to free the roots of the seedlings from it. When the weather is warm, the trees can be taken out, treated, if desired, with special agents, for example, a plant growth regulator, and transplanted to a permanent place.

What if wrong?

When to plant fruit tree seedlings in spring? The month and day for planting should be chosen, taking into account the recommendations given above, namely: in the spring the plants are planted from mid-April to mid-May, and in the fall - from September 15 to October 15. If you plant a seedling at a different time, it may die. The further life of the plant depends on the correct planting. For example, if planted in early autumn, they most likely will not survive the winter. Why? There may be 2 reasons: either the tree itself is not resistant to frost, or the planting of the seedling was done incorrectly. For example, during planting, the root collar was damaged, and the fruit plant threw all its strength into surviving, not having time to adapt to the cold. The degree of fruiting also depends on the depth of planting. Often, trees grow well but do not bear fruit. In this case, you need to look at the root collar. If it is below the soil, the excess soil must be removed by carefully digging in the plant and raising it to the required height.

The distance from the tree to the nearest building should be at least 5 m. The planting pit should be made of a large cylindrical shape. So the seedling will develop normally. The bottom of the pit must be loosened with a pitchfork. The tree must be planted strictly vertically, for this it is better to do it together. In the center of the planting hole, you can place a stake on the more windy side.

Where and when to plant fruit tree seedlings in spring? Plants such as apricots, peaches, cherries and grapes grow best on the south side. If the house is light, then the trees should be planted closer to its walls. They will additionally reflect heat to the trees. The apple tree can also be planted in the northern part.

In order for the first harvest to ripen faster on the fruit tree, at the very beginning of August, you can bend 1/3 of the length of the shoots into a ring at a distance of about 50 cm from each other and tie them up. They should be bent to the side where there is good lighting. The shoots need to be untied next spring. This method activates budding and increases the frost resistance of the fruit tree.

Tree transplant rules

When to plant fruit tree seedlings? It is better to replant plants in rainy or cloudy weather. If the weather is sunny and dry during the period of the work, the planted plants must be covered so that they are in the shade. In this case, planting success will be ensured: the plant will not get burned and will grow well.