Many people fear that young trees and shrubs will not survive the winter. They are needlessly scared. Trees and shrubs go dormant in winter - they slow down their growth and use less energy. They can be safely planted until the ground freezes, usually by the first frost.
What trees and shrubs do we plant in autumn?
In autumn, we plant mainly those species that start growing early. Thanks to this, they have time to root firmly before the onset of frosts.In the autumn months, we plant decorative deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs, such as: chestnut trees, lindens, willows and larches. A good solution is also to set up a hedge of cypresses, thuja, boxwood or holly. If some of the plants are not accepted, they can be replaced in spring. In autumn, frost-resistant fruit trees and shrubs are also very popular: apple trees, pear trees, raspberries, chokeberry, currants, gooseberries, strawberries and hazel.
Benefits of the fall planting deadline
- The fall planting date gives trees and shrubs time to prepare for next year's growing season. The combination of cooler temperatures and heavy rainfall allows the plants to take root strongly. This makes it easier for them to cope with extreme heat or summer droughts in the coming growing season.
- Autumn is the optimal time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs. They are cheaper than container plants and are an excellent choice when large amounts are needed - for example, for a new hedge.
- Spring is associated with a lot of work in the garden. If we carry out at least some of the planned plantings in the fall, we will save time, which we will devote to other works in spring.
How to properly plant trees and shrubs?
When buying plants, we should pay attention to their condition and condition. The bark on the trunk and shoots should be smooth and without damage. The trees must have a straight trunk and a well-developed root system. Plants with bare roots must not be overdried. It is a good idea to wrap the roots with a damp material during transport and plant them immediately after they have been brought to the site. Dry roots are the most common cause of plant failure.
Substrate preparation is the key to successful planting. Planted trees will grow in one place for many years to come, so it is worth investing in them from the very beginning. The soil should be properly prepared in advance - weed, loosen and dig. To improve the quality of the substrate, it is good to use compost and multi-component mineral fertilizers.
You must water the plant thoroughly before taking it out of the pot. Then dig a hole that is deep and wide enough to accommodate the root ball with enough space around it. For most species, one with a diameter of 40-50 cm and a depth of 30-40 cm is sufficient.
If the planted tree requires a stake, drive in the stake on the west side approx. 10 cm from the trunk.
Make sure the soil at the bottom of the hole is loosened and loosened. At the bottom, make a small mound, put the plant on it and gently spread the roots. When backfilling the pit around the root ball, you can sprinkle compost or long-acting compound fertilizer.
Before you cover the plant completely, water it thoroughly first. Thanks to this, the soil will stick to the roots better. Before finishing work, mulch the soil around the plants a few centimeters thick. You will protect the plants from freezing and the soil from weed infestation and water evaporation.
