Apricots in the Moscow region: planting and care, variety selection.

Everyone loves apricots, no matter where you live in the north or south. All summer residents want to grow the radiant fruits of the sun on their site. Moreover, it is very important that the apricots are neither bitter nor sour. And, of course, they melted in the mouth. We will tell you how to grow apricots in the Moscow region and not be mistaken with the choice of variety and place for planting.

Apricots for the Moscow region are the best varieties.

Apricot is considered one of the healthiest fruits in the world. Jams, jams, compotes are prepared from it, and simply consumed fresh. However, there are limitations when choosing an apricot variety for the Moscow region. The fact is that you must take into account the natural and geographical conditions that are unusual for this type of tree, namely, a rather cool summer. Therefore, in order to choose the right variety for your site, follow our recommendations. Choose self-fertile varieties, this sign suggests that the plant is capable of pollinating without insects. Only give preference to early varieties that usually bear fruit at the end of July.

Medovy and Snegirek are considered one of the best varieties of early ripeness. They are not afraid of temperature changes, give a bountiful harvest, and bear fruit after planting in the third year. The fruits of these varieties are quite large and fragrant. And, most importantly, they are very hardy, winter-hardy. Moreover, it is important to note that not only the tree itself, but also its flower buds, is resistant to frost. It is no secret that often apricots do not bear fruit, since in early spring the flower buds are overtaken by frosts. But remember, many trees do not begin to bear fruit until the fifth or sixth year after planting.

How to plant apricots in the suburbs.

Apricots are usually planted in early spring. To do this, a small hole is dug under the seedling up to 70 cm deep, fertilizer, pebbles, and compost are placed on the bottom. This must be done so that the soil around the root system is loose and well structured, so an additional pillow made of third-party materials will come in handy. However, when digging a hole, you should pay attention to the size of the rhizome. The fact is that you should not dig a pit for columnar seedlings or miniature trees, so correlate the size of the hole and the development of the root system. Then water the planting hole well and place the seedling in it. Cover with a mixture of earth and humus and tamp a little.

Sometimes apricots are grown directly from the seeds. Surely, experienced gardeners noticed in their area next to a large fruiting apricot tree a mass of small seedlings that have grown by themselves. However, if you decide to start growing apricot from stone, you should start doing it in the fall. To do this, select the ripe fruit and separate the bone from the pulp. It is best to choose fruits from trees that grow in the same climatic conditions where you plan to plant the apricot. That is, apricots from Crimea bought in a hypermarket are unlikely to suit you.

Rinse and dry the seeds, then pour a little water to calibrate. If the bone remains at the bottom, then it can be planted. Dig a suitable trench in your area in order to plant several seeds at once. Place the herb there and sprinkle on top with a mixture of sand and earth. You can also add some humus, and watch the result in the spring. Many seeds may not germinate, as not all will pass the hardening test. Therefore, do not be surprised that 3-4 seedlings will grow out of 10 seeds.

Seedling care.

After the seedlings are taken, it is advisable to cover them with transparent plastic bottles in order to protect them from cold weather and pests. It is in the first year of life that these trees need especially careful care. It is during this period that the plant develops immunity, and hence further vitality. When your seedling grows up, you will need to prune in order to properly form the crown. It is necessary to remove frostbitten and diseased branches, as well as unnecessary lateral appendages. Often trees are fed with nitrogen, but it is advisable to do this before the buds swell. Sometimes dry dressings are added to the grooves near the trunk circle. This is especially true for the Moscow region. Remember to water your tree and weed the tree trunk. Do not sound the alarm if the next year the apricot will not bear fruit abundantly. The fact is that these trees often bear fruit after a year.

Cooking apricots for winter in the suburbs.

In the fall, they begin to prepare the tree for winter. To do this, you need to remove the fallen leaves, dig up the trunk circle, insulate with some breathable non-woven material and treat against winter pests. Sometimes young trees are covered with a hut made of sticks, and covered with foil on top. Large trees are usually eaten into burlap. But do not forget to remove the "blanket" in time in the spring. Thus, apricots even in the suburbs will live longer.