Since ancient times, nuts have been considered a tasty and healthy product, the consumption of which is welcomed in any form. Standing apart among them is the walnut, which is also called “food for the brain.” Let's figure out why walnuts are so useful and how they are grown in regions with unstable weather conditions, for example, in the Moscow region.
Is it possible to grow walnuts in the Moscow region?
There is an opinion among people that walnut is a heat-loving crop, and it does not take root in regions with a cool climate. Many novice gardeners are surprised by the information that many varieties of walnuts can actually be grown in the Moscow region. This became possible thanks to the unpretentiousness of the crop and the painstaking work of breeders who breed early-ripening, frost-resistant hybrids.
Today, about two dozen varieties of walnuts are grown on the territory of the Russian Federation, including in the northern regions.
Suitable varieties
Unfortunately, not all varieties are suitable for the Moscow region, but there are enough of them, and a novice gardener has plenty to choose from. The most popular are:
- Ideal.
A fast-growing variety that begins to produce a small harvest from the first year of life. For the garden, it is recommended to purchase seedlings no younger than four years old. It gained fame among summer residents due to its mild taste, unpretentiousness and good yield.
- Giant.
A hybrid created on the basis of the previous variety and adopting all its positive qualities. Their main difference is in size. The ideal has relatively small dimensions - around 6 meters. The giant fully lives up to its name, and with the right amount of sunlight it grows up to 20 meters in height. From one such tree it is possible to collect up to 100 kilograms of nuts per season.
- Astakhovsky.
Known in the Moscow region for a relatively short time, it has become one of the favorites due to its high frost resistance and strong immunity. The height of an adult tree is about 10 meters, and the first fruits are formed in the sixth year of life. During the season, from 30 to 40 kilograms of nuts are collected from a tree.
- Sadko.
This variety was bred specifically for cultivation in the Moscow region, and can easily withstand local winters. The size of the tree is small, and in normal condition does not exceed 4-5 meters. The harvest is formed steadily, in no way inferior in taste to its southern counterparts.
Note! In addition to the above varieties, the following varieties take root well in the Moscow region: Aurora, Kocherzhenko, Podmoskovny and Urozhainy.
Landing Features
Despite its unpretentiousness, walnuts require compliance with certain rules, the implementation of which will ensure normal growth and productivity. These include:
- landing dates;
- choosing the right place;
- preparation of seedlings;
- compliance with landing rules.
Let's look at them in more detail.
Disembarkation dates
Disembarkation times vary depending on the region:
- in southern regions with a warm climate, seedlings are planted in mid-autumn;
- in the northern regions, with a less favorable climate, planting is carried out in the spring.
Spring planting takes place in April, until the buds begin to swell on the trees. Autumn planting in the Moscow region is not recommended, since the tree will not have time to take root before winter frosts, and there is a risk that it will die.
Choosing a landing site
When choosing a landing site, follow these rules:
- groundwater should not come close to the surface. The optimal depth is at least two meters. If this condition is not met, the tree will not be able to develop normally;
- The landing site is well lit and is not in the shade most of the time.
Do not plant walnuts near living quarters or outbuildings. Its powerful root system will destroy even a concrete foundation, causing damage to the building.
Preparation of seedlings
When preparing seedlings for planting in the country:
- it is necessary that the roots of the seedling are not damaged or deformed;
- It is recommended to use walnut tree seedlings that have reached the age of 2 years for planting;
- the trunk must be without signs of damage or disease;
- pay attention to the place where the seedling is grafted. If it doesn’t grow together well, choose another one;
- Before planting, two-year-old seedlings need to be pruned so that their length before planting does not exceed 50-70 centimeters.
Note! Annual seedlings are small in size and do not need pruning.
Planting process
The planting process comes down to digging a hole of the required size and preparing the right mixture to fill it. The size of the pit must be at least 60 centimeters in diameter. The depth depends on the size of the root system. Typically, penetration into the ground occurs at least 50-60 centimeters.
From the extracted soil, a mound is created around the hole, and instead of it, a little phosphorus-containing fertilizer and humus is poured onto the bottom, mixed with fertile soil. At the end of the procedure, the planting site is abundantly irrigated. For the first watering, at least 60 liters of liquid are used.
Nuances of tree care in the Moscow region
Walnut, like any other tree, needs minimal care, which consists of timely watering, fertilizing and pruning. These procedures do not take much time from the gardener, but allow the tree to develop harmoniously. By devoting 30-40 minutes to it during the week, you will be sure of a good harvest at the end of the season.
Fertilizing
Feeding a tree does not require much effort from the owner, because during the year it is enough to apply the necessary fertilizers just a couple of times. Feeding is divided into:
- autumn;
- spring
In the fall, the emphasis is on fertilizers with a high content of phosphorus and potassium, and in the spring - on nitrogen supplements. If the tree is planted on fertile soil, heavy fertilizing should be avoided. The nut develops quickly even in poor soils, and excessive amounts of nutrients can negatively affect its growth.
Watering
Proper and timely irrigation is the key to success when growing a walnut tree. This crop loves moisture, and in the first years of life, if the summer is dry, irrigation is carried out every week. It turns out that during the summer season the gardener will have to water the nut at least 12 times, pouring out about 3 buckets of liquid.
Mature trees are watered half as often, but the volume of liquid doubles. In rainy seasons, the tree is watered less, focusing on the condition of the soil.
Trimming
The tree crown is formed in the spring, around the end of March. Preventative work aimed at removing diseased and damaged branches is carried out in the fall, during preparation for wintering. The formation of the crown begins from the moment when the tree trunk has grown one and a half meters. This happens as follows:
- 10 branches are left on the trunk, which form the skeleton of the crown;
- The shoots on the branches are cut so that their length is 20 centimeters.
An adult tree does not need crown formation, and only preventive pruning is required from the gardener.
Features of wintering
Young trees, before the onset of winter cold, are wrapped in warm cloth, and the soil around the trunk is mulched. Straw, manure or peat can be used as mulch. Mature trees do not need additional care and can withstand winter cold.
Protection from diseases and pests
Among the diseases characteristic of walnuts are:
- Bacterial burn.
Its symptoms include darkening of the leaves and nuts on the tree. To combat the disease, special preparations with a high copper content are used. All affected parts are removed and burned.
- Root cancer.
Large growths form on the roots, and the tree stops developing, stopping bearing fruit. As a treatment, it is recommended to treat the roots with a 1% caustic soda solution. At the end of the procedure, the roots are washed with plenty of water.
- Brown spot.
It appears in the form of brown spots that form on the leaves. The affected leaves soon fall off, and in its advanced form the disease spreads to the flowers, destroying most of them. Bordeaux mixture is used as a medicine, the concentration of which is 1%.
Pests:
- nut moth;
- sapwood;
- American white butterfly;
- aphid;
- codling moth.
When they are detected, the affected parts are burned, and the tree is treated with special chemicals sold in stores.
As you can see, planting walnuts in the Moscow region is not a difficult task, and with minimal effort you can enjoy homemade walnuts all year round.
