Soils with a high clay content have a reputation for causing poor growth in cultivated fruit trees. However, if you improve the soil when planting, you can expect good yields even in this somewhat unfavorable location.
Does an apple tree grow in clay soil?
Apple trees arerobustandalso grow in clay soil. However, it is important to prepare them so that they do not become compacted, and hardly at all Allow air to reach the roots. In addition, waterlogging could form and damage the roots.
What advantages and disadvantages do clay soils have for the apple tree?
Loamy soilsstore water very well, but compact heavilyandwarm upin springslower.
However, these negative points can be compensated for through targeted soil improvement. Due to the good water storage properties of clayey soils, you do not have to water the apple tree as frequently during the warm summer months as a fruit tree that has a sandy substrate.
How are the clay soil and the planting pit prepared?
ImproveThe excavated clay soilwith two buckets of sand and one or two buckets of compost:
- Place bare root trees in a bucket filled with water for a few hours.
- Dig the planting hole during this time. It has to be big enough so that the roots of the apple tree can fit in it and not be snapped.
- Mix the topsoil with the sand and compost.
- Prick the sole with a digging fork and loosen it up.
How to plant a bare root apple?
In order for bare-root trees to grow well,special treatment of the root system is required:
- Cut the main roots of the apple tree freshly with cleaned secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon).
- Plant the apple tree so deep that the upper branches of the main root are just below the surface of the soil.
- The grafting point, recognizable by the bend in the trunk, is at least a hand's breadth above ground level.
- Take the tree out of the planting hole and drive in a planting stake.
- Insert the tree, fill it with the improved substrate and slurry it in thoroughly.
How to plant a container apple in clay soil?
You canplant bales all year round, unlike bare-root apple trees, which are only planted from October to April.
- Place the apple tree and its container in a water-filled tub for a few hours.
- The planting hole should be 20 centimeters deeper than the height of the bale and twice as wide.
- Enrich the excavated topsoil with sand and compost.
- Drive in the planting stake and place the tree so that the grafting point is a hand's breadth above the ground.
- Press down the soil and water carefully.
Tip
Creating a watering edge for the apple tree
By enriching the soil with sand and compost, you will probably have a lot of substrate left over. This is perfect for creating a pouring rim. Pile up the excess excavation in a circle around the tree at a sufficient distance from the apple tree and secure the small wall with the shovel or by stepping on it.
