Planting and caring for gooseberries in the open field in spring

Gooseberries, like other fruit and berry crops, are planted in spring and autumn. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. To choose the right one and get a rich harvest in the future, you need to take into account some of the nuances. Let's talk in detail about planting and caring for gooseberries in the spring in the open field.

When is it better to plant gooseberries - in spring or autumn

In theory, spring and fall planting have equal advantages. Many planted shrubs in the fall - it is believed that the overwintered plant wakes up earlier in the spring and is actively growing. Region aside, it is.

However, experienced summer residents are advised to focus on the extremes that distinguish the weather in areas with harsh or unpredictable climates. For example, seedlings that take root in the fall may catch the first premature frost, and they will not survive the winter. Similarly, already rooted planting material may die if the winter is not very snowy. In such conditions, spring planting is preferable.

The dates for planting gooseberries in spring also shift slightly depending on the region:

• in the southern regions of Russia - in March or early April;
• in the middle lane and the Moscow region - not earlier than April;
• in the Urals and Siberia - in late April or early May, when return frosts pass.

Many gardeners plan planting times in relation to the moon phase. According to the lunar calendar, favorable days in the spring of 2020:

• in March - from 26 to 29;
• in April - from 11 to 15, 24, 25;
• in May - from 2 to 10.

The days of the new moon and full moon are considered unfavorable, as well as:

• in March - 9, from 19 to 21, 24;
• in April - 8, from 15 to 17, 23;
• in May - 7, 13, 14, 22;
• in June - 5, from 9 to 11, 21.

Planting and care in the open field in spring

Correct planting is a guarantee that the plant will develop well and become immune to diseases and insect pests.

Seedling and soil preparation

Spring planting starts with the preparation of the seedlings and the place. What are the criteria for choosing planting material:

1. Seedlings with a closed root system can be either one-year or two-year. If the roots are bare, it is better to take a stronger and older plant - 2 years old.
2. The condition of two-year-old seedlings: at least 2-3 shoots 20-30 cm long and several strong roots 20-25 cm long.
3. The condition of seedlings with a closed root system: several shoots 30-50 cm long with leaves. The plant stands firmly in the container, and the earthy ball does not crumble.
4. Both the roots and the aerial part must have a healthy appearance, be free of mechanical damage and traces of damage diseases or pests.

Before planting, the root system of the seedling is dipped in a clay mash (clay diluted with water to the consistency of liquid sour cream) or a solution of a root formation stimulator (Kornevin, Heteroauxin). Then the seedling will take root easier and faster.

The place for gooseberries is necessary, first of all, light - he loves the sun very much. Light partial shade will not affect further development and fruiting, but this culture will not grow in the shade. It is also unacceptable to plant in a lowland, swampy places and where the groundwater is above 1.5 m.If the entire site in this sense leaves much to be desired, a mound is made for the gooseberry and planted on a hill. This will save the bush from getting wet and rotting of the roots.

The soil needs fertile, light and loose, preferably loam or sandy loam. The acidity level is neutral (pH 6-7).Gooseberries grow poorly even on slightly acidic soil, therefore, if necessary, dolomite flour, chalk, lime or wood ash are added to it.

Reference. The clay soil is loosened with sand so that water does not stagnate and the roots do not rot. Humus is introduced into the sandy soil - moisture quickly evaporates from too dry soil. It is important to make the best option for the gooseberry in accordance with these characteristics.

Landing algorithm

Gooseberry bushes are planted on the site according to the scheme:

• the distance between the bushes of low-growing varieties is 1.2 m, medium-sized ones - 1.5 m, tall and spreading ones - 1.8-2 m;
• row spacing - 2-2.5 m;
• distance from the fence - 1-1.5 m.

The gooseberry grows strongly. It is difficult to care for thickened plantings and it is very problematic to harvest. If the bushes shade each other, this will affect the taste of the berries.

Consider the location of other cultures. A positive, negative and neutral neighborhood for gooseberries is described in the table.

For each seedling, a hole is dug 50 × 50 cm in size.The earth is mixed with:

• 1 bucket of compost or humus;
• 80-100 g of superphosphate or 300-400 g of bone meal;
• 60-80 g of potassium sulfate or 200 g of wood ash.

A little deoxidized high-moor peat can be added to the resulting mixture.

Gooseberries are planted strictly vertically:

1. The planting hole is half covered with prepared soil mixture and spilled with water.
2. A small mound is formed in the center, a seedling is placed on it and the roots are spread.
3. The remaining soil is poured and tamped. The root collar should be buried at least 6-7 cm. It is taken into account that the earth will settle a little.
4. A hole is formed around the seedling and watered abundantly.

For seedlings with a closed root system, a hole is dug 2-3 times larger than an earthen coma. They are planted by the transshipment method: an earthen lump with roots is placed in the center of the hole, covered with earth, tamped and watered.

The finished and watered hole is mulched with humus, compost, peat, straw, etc. Mulch inhibits the growth of weeds, prevents moisture from evaporating quickly, loosens the soil and serves as additional organic fertilizer.

Further care

Caring for gooseberries in the spring in the country or in the home area consists of standard procedures: wateringforming a bush, weeding, loosening the soil, fertilizing, preventing disease and pests and preparing for winter.

The initial task of the gardener after planting is to help the plant grow a powerful root system, so the shoots of the young gooseberry are cut off. If the roots of the seedling are weak, leave 5-10 cm and 2-3 buds. With strong roots, you can leave 10-15 cm and 3-4 buds. If pruning is not done, the plant will spend energy building up green mass. The roots will not have enough resources, and the bush will grow weak and develop poorly. Further, every spring, sanitary pruning is carried out - dry, weak and frozen branches are removed.

Water the young gooseberry as the topsoil dries up. It is important to ensure that it does not become waterlogged or dry out. Water is used settled and warm, watered in the morning or evening so that the moisture does not evaporate quickly.

After watering, the soil is loosened so that oxygen flows to the roots. Loosening can damage small roots that are located close to the surface, therefore, near the trunk, this is done to a depth of no more than 15 cm.The further from the trunk, the deeper you can loosen, up to 30-40 cm.

The weeds are pulled out regularly. They drain the soil and shade the gooseberries, attract pests and create a favorable environment for bacteria and fungi to grow.

Top dressing will be needed in 2-3 years. For gooseberries, both organic and complex mineral fertilizers are equally good.

How to plant and grow in the fall

The autumn procedure is not very different from the spring one, but it has some nuances.

Optimal dates for autumn planting:

• in Siberia, the Urals, in the Leningrad region - late September or early October;
• in the southern regions of Russia - the first half of October;
• in the Volga region - the second half of October;
• in the middle lane - the end of October.

Roughly, planting should be carried out at least a month before the first frost. In this case, the daytime temperature should be + 10 ° С and above, and the nighttime temperature should not be lower than + 5 ° С.

In autumn, it is better to plant stronger and more mature seedlings aged 2 years, with a well-developed root system (25-30 cm) and several strong shoots (25-30 cm).

The process of preparing planting material and soil, as well as planting, is similar to that in spring. If the autumn is dry and warm, the soil is monitored and it is regularly moistened using 5 liters of water per plant. Sufficient water and warmth contribute to the rapid growth of strong and healthy roots, which means successful wintering and further development. If the autumn is rainy, watering is not needed so that the seedlings do not get wet.

Young gooseberries overwinter well if you cover the ground with a thick layer (8 cm) and then add more snow. This will save planting even from severe frosts.

Reference. Autumn planting is considered more favorable for the gooseberry - the plant takes root better, and in the spring it immediately grows, without spending time and energy on building up roots. Such bushes begin to bear fruit earlier than those planted in spring. However, in regions of risky farming, there is a high probability that autumn seedlings will die in winter from severe frost.

Can I plant in summer

Summer is not the best time to plant. In the heat, seedlings take root poorly. Even if you provide them with abundant watering and shading, there is a high probability that they will die. Therefore, planting seedlings with an open root system in the summer is meaningless.

Planting material in containers is more likely to take root. The roots are protected by a clod of earth and will not be damaged during planting. In fact, the process is a simple transfer, when the plant is pulled out of the container and placed with a lump of earth in the planting hole. The gooseberry will grow successfully in a permanent place, but even in this case, it needs abundant regular watering, especially in hot weather, and at first a little shading. Weeding, loosening the soil and preventing disease and pests are also part of the cultivation package.

In summer, such methods of planting gooseberries as cuttings and propagation by layering are usually used.

When grafting, healthy, strong shoots 15-20 cm long are cut from the bush. Each should have at least 2 buds and 2 leaves above them. At the top, the cut is made even, and at the bottom - at an angle of 45 °. In a greenhouse or greenhouse, cuttings are stuck into the ground, deepening by 3 cm.The temperature is kept high, they make sure that the ground is moist. By autumn, the cuttings will take root.

When propagating by layering, the lower shoots are bent, pinned to the ground with metal or wooden hooks and sprinkled with soil. They are also well watered. After a while, young vertical shoots will appear - this means that the layers have taken root. During the summer, they continue to be looked after, and in the fall they are separated from the mother plant and planted in a permanent place.

Conclusion

The successful cultivation of gooseberries depends a lot on planting time. Gardeners often choose autumn planting, but practice shows that this method is often associated with great risks, especially in regions with an unstable and unpredictable climate. Spring planting, while considered less fruitful, often wins and is more successful. If the recommendations are followed, even a novice gardener is able to plant gooseberries and grow strong, stably fruiting bushes from young plants.