Most gardeners prefer to plant shrubs in the spring season before the start of sap flow. But there are proven effective methods for autumn planting, including:
- Landing with an earthen clod;
- Planting seedlings with a bare root system;
- Planting seedlings grown in containers.
Planting shrubs with an earthen clod
An earthen lump on the root of the shrub contributes to a softer transplantation procedure, and during transportation, the underground part of the plant is reliably protected. In this form, the culture can be planted at any time of the year. When buying a seedling for autumn planting, it is recommended to find out some points - when the growth period ended, and in what state the earthen lump is.
The earthen lump should be carefully packed in a special net or in a damp burlap, it should not crumble. When planting, the net can not be removed from the root part, since it will not interfere with its development and growth. In case of a poor condition of the earthen coma and a violation of its integrity, it is necessary to use the rules for planting seedlings with bare roots.
Planting bare root seedlings
Rule # 1
Seedlings in this form are suitable for autumn planting only after the completion of the growth and development period. This is very important for further wintering. If the growing season continues, then the shrub runs the risk of not surviving the frost and withstanding the winter cold. Young seedlings in this case will not be saved by a special covering, or protective covers made of breathable material, or a mulching layer.
The end of the growing season of the shrub can be determined by the completely woody young shoots and well-formed buds at the tops. Some seedlings have a longer growing season, it can drag on until late autumn. This is typical for those specimens that were grown during the hot and dry summer season.
Rule # 2
Shrubs with a tap or low-branched root part are not suitable for autumn planting. This applies to such popular crops as hawthorn and hazel, as well as coniferous shrubs. Gardeners recommend planting berry bushes in autumn. The most favorable time for this is late October - early November. The berry bushes will have plenty of time to grow a new root system, which will not happen when planting plants in the spring months. In spring, berry plants should direct all their forces to high-quality fruiting, and during spring planting, these forces will go to the formation of roots, which will result in a minimum harvest of berries in the coming season.
Saplings with bare roots brought to a temperate climate from warm countries and hot regions may not take root during autumn planting and may not withstand winter frosts and a long winter period. It is not recommended to plant such specimens in the fall.
Rule # 3
The landing time is of great importance. The optimal time is September and the first half of October.Planting during this period makes it possible for the shrubs to root well before the onset of severe cold weather and before the arrival of frost. The newly emerged roots will be able to get stronger before winter, and then calmly survive various weather conditions. With the full operation of the root system, the bush is able to winter and further develop in the spring and summer seasons, which means getting a high-quality harvest.
If, when buying seedlings, the root part is covered with a layer of clay talker (as a protective agent against drying out), then it is recommended to carefully clean it before planting and put the young shrub in a container of water for 24 hours. During this period, the roots are saturated with a sufficient amount of moisture that they have lost while outdoors.
Planting container-grown seedlings
Such seedlings, being for a long time in a confined space, adapt to these conditions and become unsuitable for autumn planting. Their root part grows in different directions, twisting or turning in different directions as it grows, and sometimes inside the container. When transplanting these seedlings into open ground, it takes a long time to get used to a new place. At first, the root system of such a plant does not work at full strength and other parts of it suffer from this. The winter season for a container-grown bush seedling can be very challenging. It is unlikely that it will be possible to survive frosts and long cold weather with an inadequate work of the root system.
Top dressing and fertilizers
When planting shrubs in the autumn, it is recommended to apply fertilizers containing phosphorus into the planting holes, but in no case mullein or manure. Such dressings are more suitable for spring planting. Various fertilizers containing calcium, potassium and nitrogen, as well as preparations promoting root formation (for example, "Humate" and "Kornevin") should be used only with strict adherence to the instructions. It is very important to adhere to the recommended dosage and concentration of the fertilizer.
Additional measures to protect seedlings
Young shrub plants planted in the fall need additional protection from weather extremes, pests and heavy snowfalls.
Growers recommend covering the tree trunks with a layer of organic mulch, which will give the seedlings warmth, air and moisture. Rotten sawdust or shredded wood shavings and peat are ideal for this. But you should not use straw and hay, because they can become a home for dangerous rodents - mice, which will cause irreparable harm to seedlings. You do not need to use coverings made of materials that do not allow air to pass through (for example, a film or roofing material), because without it, the plant will begin to rot and eventually die.
Fragile young shrubs can be damaged by large snow caps that hang in large masses on the plants. You can protect the seedlings using special covers or by tightening the branches of the plant with a net or twine.
