It is hard to imagine an orchard in which such a wonderful tree as a cherry would not grow. The fruits of this culture are in great demand, because they make jam from cherries, make jam and stewed fruit, squeeze juice, add it to sweets and pies. Let's look at how to plant cherries in the spring correctly, so that next summer to get the first crop.
Acquisition of planting material
Both root and grafted plants having 3-4 branching of skeletal roots are considered suitable for planting cherries. It should be noted that root crops obtained from shoots or cuttings are restored faster after winter freezing. At the same time, grafted plants yield earlier.
Along with biennials, it is possible to purchase annual seedlings that have a well-developed root system. Usually, the height of biennial seedlings is on average 1 meter, while annuals only reach 70-80 cm. If the leaves were not removed when buying on plants, then this must be done immediately upon arrival, otherwise seedling dehydration may occur. The roots of the acquired trees need to be moistened, and then wrapped with a damp cloth and film. This will help protect planting material from drying out.
Seedling storage
Gardeners claim that it is better to buy seedlings for spring planting in the fall and dig them in for the winter. For this purpose, as a rule, they dig a trench, the depth of which should be at least 50 cm. On the south side, it is necessary to make its wall at an angle. Lay the seedlings in a row so that their crowns face south. This arrangement of planting material helps to prevent sunburn on the trunks.
After backfilling, the soil must be pressed firmly to the roots and well watered. Wet ground conscientiously fills all the voids through which cold air could penetrate the seedlings. Around the trench, it is recommended to put fir spruce branches, which is an excellent means of protecting planting material from mice.
Seat selection
The question of where to plant cherries is of interest to all beginner gardeners. In fact, a lot depends on the right place: the longevity and productivity of the plant. Planting is recommended in protected areas, which minimizes the likelihood of winter damage.
Also, choosing a place, it should be borne in mind that cherries begin to bloom early in the spring, and its flowers are often damaged by frost. Of great importance is the protection of the tree from the winds, which in the winter season increase the risk of freezing, and in the spring they interfere with the work of bees and drain the pistils of the flowers, thereby reducing fruit set.
So, how to plant cherries in spring, which place should I choose? Most experts believe that it is best to place cherries in the upper and middle parts of the gentle slopes of the south, west and southwest. The eastern, northern and northeastern slopes are considered less suitable.
When choosing a site, one must take into account the
depth of groundwater, the close location of which depresses the trees. So, it is important that groundwater passes no closer than 2 m from the surface of the soil.
Soil preparation
How to plant a cherry in the spring? Great importance is given to soil preparation, which should be carried out in the fall. So, it is necessary to dig the earth and make various fertilizers (organic, mineral, complex).
Many gardeners recommend liming the soil. The amount of lime depends on the degree of acidity of the soil and its mechanical composition. It is best if the soil solution has a reaction close to neutral.
Fertilizer application
Speaking about how to plant cherries in the spring, it is important to note that for proper nutrition of the tree fertilizers are applied not only for digging the earth, but they are added directly to the planting pits. However, in this case, lime and nitrogen fertilizers should not be used, since they can worsen the survival of seedlings and cause root burns. Experienced gardeners recommend putting up to 15 kg of humus, aged compost or non-acid peat, 500 g of ash, 60 g of potassium sulfate and 200 g of superphosphate into the planting pit. Pits must be dug and fertilized 14 days before the expected day of planting.
Landing
How to plant cherries in spring, at what time is the best time to do this? As practice shows, the earlier the cherry seedlings were planted in the spring, the better they will take root. Therefore, it is recommended to start planting immediately after the snow has melted and the soil has slightly dried out.
Plant survival directly depends on the condition of the seedlings. On the eve of planting, planting material must be examined and cut to a healthy place, damaged roots and shoots. The seedlings delivered to the proposed place of laying the garden should be temporarily buried, and immediately before spreading them along the planting pits, dip the roots into the soil or clay-dung mash.
Every experienced gardener who knows how to plant cherries in spring claims that the correct determination of the depth of planting of seedlings is of great importance in this process. So, the root neck of the tree should be located at the level of the soil, and therefore, when planting, it is necessary to take into account the subsidence of the soil by a few cm (from 2 to 5 on average).
To plant cherry seedlings, you need to dig holes, the depth of which should be 50 cm and a width of 80 cm. Digging a hole, the top layer of soil must be discarded separately from the bottom. In the center of the pit, you need to install a planting stake and pour around it a mound of the upper soil layer, previously mixed with mineral and organic fertilizers.
It’s more convenient to plant together: one person sets a seedling, spreads its roots in different directions and fixes the future tree in this position, while his partner falls asleep using the topsoil soil. It is necessary to fill the hole with earth, trample the soil around the trunk with your foot and pour 2 bucket of water on the newly made tree. At the end of the planting, sprinkle the soil around the tree with peat, loose earth or humus, which will save moisture and prevent the formation of crust.
Since planting cherries and growing it is not an easy task, you will have to set yourself up for a long labor process, because the plant loves attention and care so much. And in gratitude for all the labors, after a year you can get a fruiting tree with very tasty and juicy fruits.