How to prepare apricot for winter in different regions and materials for shelter

Some varieties of apricot trees have low frost resistance and require special care. On the eve of the onset of cold weather, many gardeners have a question about how to cover apricots for the winter. The process of protecting trees is one of the key stages of preparation for the cold season, since further development and fruiting depend on the shelter.

Features of apricot care in autumn and preparation for winter

Pre-winter care of seedlings is carried out in order to prepare for the upcoming frosts. In addition to trimming foliage, it is necessary to ensure the safety of bark and wood. Comprehensive and proper care makes it possible to create optimal conditions for wintering plants.

When preparing apricots for winter, the soil around the seedlings is covered with a layer of mulch made from hay, sawdust, humus and straw. Mulching is necessary to protect the roots and improve the properties of seedlings. The root collar of the trunk is protected with a material with sufficient breathability to prevent rotting.

Warming up the lower part of the trunk leads to poor tolerance to cold and a drop in yield.

To protect the main part of the trunk, it is necessary to treat the bark with a solution of lime. The coating will reduce the risk of pests penetrating under the bark and strengthen the base of the branches. When wondering how to prepare a protective solution, just mix 10 liters of clean water, 2 kg of lime, 200 g of copper sulfate and 250 g of flour paste.

Apricot pruning in autumn

One of the integral stages of caring for fruit trees is pruning the crown.. When pruning vegetation, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances, since proper execution of the process contributes to the ripening of a good harvest.

Why is pruning needed?

Trimming foliage and old branches is necessary to create a decorative and neat crown. Pruning also has a practical purpose - it increases the degree of penetration of sunlight to apricots and has a beneficial effect on ventilation.

When is it better to prune - in spring or autumn?

Pruning is allowed twice a year.In autumn, the crown of trees is shaped and old branches are removed. At the beginning of March, with the onset of warmth, frozen shoots are removed after cold weather. When planting in northern regions, both prunings should be done during the spring to ensure the tree fully recovers during the warm season.

Timing of pruning

You should not delay the treatment of the crown for a long period, since the cut areas should be restored before the temperature drops below 8 degrees. The exact dates are determined taking into account weather conditions in a particular area. In the central regions, the procedure is performed during the first ten days of October, in the southern regions - from mid-October to November 10, in the north - in early September.

How to prune correctly

To trim the crown, just follow the step-by-step instructions. It involves the following steps:

1. After the first year of cultivation, the top part of the trees is partially cut off, the length of which reaches a quarter of the height of the entire trunk.
2. Several shoots are left on the trunk, shortened to at least 30 cm.
3. In the 3-5th year of apricot life, the shoots are partially removed, maintaining a distance of about 50-55 cm between the remaining ones.
4. Long shoots formed on the central part of the trunk are cut in half.

Features of pruning young and old apricots in autumn

On young seedlings during the period of active crown growth, skeletal branches are left, and the rest are cut off. The side shoots are partially trimmed so that they are in a horizontal position.

Mature apricots, unlike recently planted trees, are only periodically cultivated. This is necessary for the intensive growth of new branches.

Shelter for the winter

The need for shelter is due to the insufficient frost resistance of apricots.The covering material protects the roots and maintains the optimal temperature in the lower part of the trees.

How to cover

Depending on weather conditions and the characteristics of a particular region, the method of covering trees depends. In the northern regions, entire trees should be covered. A film material is placed over the seedlings, the edges of which are fixed with stakes in the ground.

Features of sheltering young and old apricots for the winter

Young seedlings should be protected first, since their roots are at the development stage and can be destroyed during prolonged cold periods. The branches and trunk of immature apricots should be covered with burlap or thick fabric.

Old trees planted in the middle zone require weaker insulation. The area around the roots is covered with mulch, which protects ripening apricots from the cold. Mature apricot plantations planted in the north are protected in the same way as young ones, having previously shortened their trunks to a height of about 2.5 m.

Features of preparing apricots for winter

Preparation for the winter season varies depending on the temperature characteristics of the region in which the crop is grown. The main problems that need to be prevented during the preparation process are freezing and heating.

In the middle zone

When growing fruit trees in the middle zone, it is necessary to take into account the likelihood of a sudden drop in temperature. To avoid freezing of branches and buds, you should mulch in advance, wrap the trunk with covering material and ensure air permeability.

In the Volga region

To get a good harvest of apricots when grown in the Volga region, it is necessary to prune the trees to a height of 2.5 m on the eve of winter. After removing old branches and excessive density of leaves, it is necessary to mulch with a dense layer of pine branches, straw and sawdust.

For additional protection, it is recommended to cover the mulch layer with agrospan and fix it to the soil surface.

In the Urals and Siberia

The climate conditions in the Siberian regions and the Urals require the same shelter as in the Volga region. It should be taken into account that in conditions of low temperatures there is a risk of fruits rotting with the onset of spring warming. A large amount of snow that falls in winter melts during warming, and the liquid waterlogs the root collar. Excess moisture leads to rotting of the roots and subsequent death of fruit trees.