When, in what quantity and how to water apple trees in summer

In order to consistently get a high-quality harvest of fragrant apples, it is necessary to observe some agrotechnical rules, and competent watering is not the last among them. In addition to general rules, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the variety, climatic conditions. Otherwise, you can lose the crop almost completely. How to properly water apple trees in summer, you will learn from this article.

Do I need to water the apple tree in summer

Apple trees, like other plants, cannot live without moisture. When landing, take into account the depth of groundwater. When they are high, the soil becomes oversaturated with mineral salts, and the tree often gets sick, and in some cases even dies.

All apple varieties need a regular supply of moisture, especially young trees. In summer, this is especially important in the first half of the season, after the ovary has fallen off (in mid-June). The second watering is carried out 15-20 days after the first.

If the weather is hot, the frequency of humidification is increased, but the volume is left the same.

How often to water

The volume largely depends on the age of the plants, but there are other factors that affect this indicator. Trees planted in clay soil need the most water.

The seedling is watered with 3 buckets. Apple tree under 5 years old - 6-8. With proper care, the tree actively develops and grows. An adult fruiting apple tree needs at least 12 buckets of water. In the near-trunk circle, the earth should be soaked 70-80 cm.

For a tree over 10 years old, you need to dig a groove under the crown and pour 3-4 buckets of water for every quarter. Then the tree will delight the owner with a harvest up to 35 years old and even more.

Irrigation water requirements

For watering apple trees, water is used from an artesian well, a well, and other natural sources (rivers, lakes, ponds). When watering with cold water, it is important to check that it is not close to the freezing point. Otherwise, the roots will be damaged and the growth of the tree will slow down.

The composition of the liquid should not contain poisonous impurities and chemicals. The best water for irrigation is melt. In composition, it should be soft and neutral.

What can be added

For fertilization and the fight against diseases, the apple tree is watered with various preparations, observing strict rules.

Chicken droppings

Add to water with care so as not to burn the trees.

1 bucket of manure is bred in a barrel with 10-15 buckets of water, stirred and the composition is infused for 2 days. They bring it into the trunk circle under each fruiting apple tree, a bucket per tree.

Soap solution

Use only a clean fatty soap solution. Watering with other detergents is dangerous, as it can lead to the death of beneficial fungi, bacteria, insects.

Using laundry soap can help get rid of aphids. To do this, rub 300 g of soap and dilute in 2 liters of water. Then the resulting mixture is dissolved in a bucket of water and sprayed with an apple tree.

Potassium permanganate

Used to disinfect the ground. A weak solution is required. At a strong concentration, such an oxidant can destroy many useful things in the soil.

It is necessary to dissolve 3 g of potassium permanganate in 10 liters of water, use this amount for 3-4 sq. m area.

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How to properly water an apple tree in summer

It is easy to check the need for watering: if a lump of earth, which is taken along the perimeter of the bark at a depth of 20 cm, crumbles in your hands, then it is time to carry out the procedure. Seedlings are watered 2-4 times per season with a consumption of 20-30 liters of water.

If the apple tree lacks moisture during the flowering period, it will shed most of the ovaries. Therefore, in July, they actively water the tree, spending one to 8 buckets of water.

It will not work from a watering can to water a tree due to the large volume of water required. It is better to use hoses when pumping water from the source using a submersible pump or from an artesian well.

Watering methods

With a surface irrigation method, it is necessary to dig a furrow or hole along the perimeter of the crown. The depth and width of the furrows is 25-30 cm. They are dug around the crown, not the trunk. To do this, draw an imaginary line from the longest side branches to the ground. It is here that the small suction roots are located.

With this watering from the hose, the groove is filled gradually, until complete absorption stops.

Drip

With this option, water is gradually delivered to the roots. Drip irrigation is considered the best way. Achieved constant soil moisture at the level of 75-85%.

Sprinkling

Any type of sprinkler is suitable for this method. Optimal sprinkling is shallow, uniform, scattered. As a result, the soil should get 60-80 cm wet.

Surface irrigation, which only moistens the soil by 15 cm, will aggravate the situation in hot weather.

Liquid top dressing

Watering is often combined with liquid top dressing. It is important to respect the amount of fertilization, since the diet must be balanced. To prevent the preparations from being washed off with water, dig holes of 0.3 m in an amount of 10-15 pieces. Fertilizers are applied there, which will dissolve during watering and are absorbed into the soil.

Specific dosages are indicated on the package.

What mistakes to avoid

There are some of the most common mistakes that most gardeners make:

1. Incorrect mulching. Too much mulch is blocking the flow of liquid into the soil.
2. Late watering. To know exactly when it is best to water the apple tree, you need to monitor the condition of the soil.
3. It is important to choose the right watering time. The optimal time is early morning or evening, 2-3 hours before sunset.

Watering trees at other times is possible only in cloudy weather.

Watering apple trees when planting

At all stages of growth, flowering and fruiting, there are nuances of watering. Right after landing seedlings moisten the soil. In the absence of rain, the seedlings are watered every 3-4 days.

During flowering

With frequent rains, you should not water the apple tree during flowering, otherwise the root system will begin to rot.

Not having enough water will cause the ovary to fall off, as the flowers will not have enough moisture.

During fruiting

During the ripening period, 6-10 buckets of water are added, depending on the age of the tree.

This ensures the apples are juicy, sweet and large in size. Sour, small fruits are a sign of lack of watering.

Seedling watering rules

The age of the trees affects the amount of moisture needed. The very first watering is done at the time of planting.

If the soil is wet, add no more than 7 liters of water under the seedling. In the first summer, watering is carried out 3-5 more times.

Trees from year

A tree aged 1-2 years old needs 3 buckets of water for 1 watering.

Wood from 2 to 5 years

These apple trees require 6-8 buckets of water. If there is heat and drought, the volume is increased.

Apple tree from 5 to 15 years

Such trees are already much more demanding on water. A fruiting apple tree at a mature age requires at least 12 buckets at a time.

Old trees

After 15 years, the need for moisture does not decrease. For one watering, the tree needs 30-40 liters for each quarter of the trench. There are about 16 buckets in total.

Experienced gardening tips

There are several nuances that must be taken into account:

• it is not recommended to carry out the procedure immediately after the rain, since the water stagnates, a favorable environment is formed for pests;
• the hose should be located at a distance of at least 1.5 m from the trunk; watering near a tree is very harmful;
• water is better to use settled, warm.

Conclusion

Proper watering of apple trees will provide the gardener with a tasty harvest of large apples even in dry summer, but in any case, you should observe the measure.

Adult apple trees are watered 2-3 times per season, 8-10 buckets, depending on the age of the tree. It is recommended to check the soil for moisture before the procedure.