Many gardeners plant conifers on their plots. And this is not surprising. After all, such plants are a real decoration. They remain green year-round. In winter, you can appreciate the magnificence of coniferous plantings. It is worth noting that such plants are often used by specialists to create magnificent landscape compositions. The main advantages of conifers are resistance to diseases and pests, as well as ease of care.
These plants are not capricious. But still they need to be planted correctly. At the same time, it is worth considering several nuances - you need to find a suitable place, provide minimal care and, of course, learn how to properly fertilize the soil. So, planting conifers in spring: how to do everything right?
Choose a place
Planting conifers on the site usually begins with the selection of a suitable place. Most of these plants feel fine only in the shade, where the soil is wetter. Most of all the sun likes pine and larch. But in the shade yew trees, Canadian tsugi and spruce will grow beautifully.
Common mistake
If the question arises of how to plant a Christmas tree, a thawed tree, a pine or a larch, many answer that it is enough to simply dig a hole, lower the roots of the seedling into it and sprinkle with earth. All, of course, is so. Here are just some wonder why a few months later the plant died? The answer is simple. The conifer was planted incorrectly. The most amazing thing is that these plants retain a beautiful appearance even in difficult conditions for them.
To plant conifers in the spring was successful, you should prepare the soil. It is best to choose the place where there is soil with a pH of 5 - 6.5. In addition, the soil must be properly improved. Yes, 20 centimeters of ordinary chernozem is not enough for such plants. Tree seedlings are expensive, so it’s better not to save on fertilizing the soil. An important role is also played by regular watering and timely fertilizing. Plants are very quickly depleted and die.
Improving the soil
Planting large coniferous trees requires a special approach. If the main layer of soil is infertile sand, then the soil should be improved to a depth of 60 - 100 centimeters, as well as a meter around the seedling. Otherwise, the tree will die. So that the layer of fertile soil is not rinsed, you can put a layer of clay under it or lay geotextiles.
If the planting of conifers in the spring will be carried out in groups, then the soil should be improved throughout the garden. It will be easier than digging under each seedling. For hedges, you should also dig a trench and lay a layer of fertile soil.
If the soil is more clayey, then it needs to be improved with peaty chernozem to a depth of 0.4 - 0.6 meters.
When to plant
The time for planting conifers is also of particular importance. For example, container seedlings, which are sold in many retail outlets, can be planted in open ground throughout the growing season. In other words, until the earth freezes. Their root system is compact and not much damaged.
Saplings of trees belonging to gymnosperms are usually planted in the spring, when the buds have not yet begun to blossom. The best time to land is the first decade of May. They can also be planted in the fall - from mid-August to the end of September. Most importantly, young trees have time to settle down before the dormant period begins.
You need to water correctly
When the planting of conifers in the spring is over, a period of special care for the plants begins. If all the rules for improving the soil and planting are followed, then fertilizing in the first year is not necessary. Good watering is required at this time. Such trees do not like prolonged drought. To keep the moisture for a long time, you need to lay a layer of mulch around the trunk with a thickness of 5 to 7 centimeters. This indicator depends on the size of the tree.
What fertilizer to choose
Planting conifers is not so simple. Recommendations of specialists will help to avoid unnecessary problems. You can apply fertilizer the next year, when the snow will fall and the vegetative period begins. Use only those dressings that are intended for conifers. You can buy fertilizer in a specialized store. Feeding should be in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers.
Usually, mineral compounds in granules are used for these purposes, which quickly dissolve in water. This fertilizer contains all the necessary micro and macro elements. It is worth noting that such mineral top dressing dissolves slowly and lasts from 3 to 6 months.
How to feed
Planting large coniferous trees is only half the story. It is important to know how to properly water and feed plants. If the fertilizers are in granules, then they can simply be scattered around the trunk of a seedling, and then just plant it all in the soil. That's all. There is another option. You can take dissolving fertilizer. In this case, top dressing occurs through needles during watering. The concentration of such fertilizer should be no more than 0.5 - 1%. Before feeding, the coniferous tree must be watered.
The first time you need to fertilize the plant in April or early May, the second time - in late June or early July. For feeding coniferous plants, do not use slurry or fresh manure. This will adversely affect the condition of the seedlings.
Cropping and shaping the crown
In order for conifers to branch better, and also to limit their growth, it is necessary to carry out forming pruning. It is worth noting that this method will give the crown the desired shape. Trimming is necessary at the right time. For example, thuja hedges are usually trimmed at the end of May or at the beginning of June, and in August the procedure is repeated if necessary.
Yew pruning should be carried out in the period from April to June.
Finally
Now you know how to plant a Christmas tree, pine, larch, thuja and other conifers. Proper care, regular watering and timely application of mineral fertilizers will allow you to grow beautiful and neat plants that will decorate your site with your greenery in winter and summer. It is possible to give the desired shape to the crown when carrying out forming trimming. In order for coniferous trees to retain their charm, it is worth thinking about the prevention of diseases. This is the best method of combating not only plant ailments, but also with some pests, such as aphids. These insects threaten in the main young seedlings and shoots. Pests simply suck the sap from the tree. As a result, the plant weakens and dies.