What can be planted under an apple tree in the garden, next to flowers, trees and berry bushes
Gardeners are often interested in the question of what is best to plant under an apple tree. When choosing a crop, it is important to consider that the roots of the tree spread over long distances, drawing out most of the moisture and trace elements from the soil. A crown of impressive diameter shades the area around. These conditions are not suitable for the development of many plants. But summer residents, especially in a small area, try to plant every corner. The main thing is to follow some tips and rules.
Microclimate under the crown
When planting any crop on the site, they observe the rules of their compatibility, especially the effect on the soil, the size and growth of the root system. Some crops do not grow in the shade of the apple tree foliage and have a bad effect on its growth. But there are plants that improve the composition of the soil, scare off pests, thereby helping the apple tree to develop normally.
When choosing neighbors for a shady area under the apple tree, take into account that the plant should be shade-tolerant, without the peculiarity of forming deep roots, not particularly demanding on nutrients, with a short growing season.
The basic rules that are taken into account when planting plants under an apple tree include:
- the distance from the root collar should be at least 25 cm;
- it is not necessary to plant the crop too densely so that it is possible to collect fallen fruits;
- when processing with chemicals, it is important to remember that the solution also gets on the plants growing around the tree;
- it is impossible to dig the earth around the trunk deeper than 17 cm;
- other trees and shrubs with powerful roots should not be planted near the apple tree.
The foliage of the apple tree transmits light, creating diffused partial shade, which prevents the soil from drying out excessively. Therefore, there is enough light for the development of some other plants.
Flowers for planting under an apple tree
If apple trees in the country are periodically sprayed from pests and various infections, then it is better to abandon crops that bear fruit for consumption. The place is successfully occupied with flowers.
Wild
You do not need to buy ornamental plant seeds from stores. Wild flowers will be an excellent way to plant around the tree. It is not difficult to grow them, they adapt to any conditions, plus everything, the smell of many of them scares away pests.
A perennial plant such as tansy grows well in the shade. A lush yellow inflorescence on long stems will adorn any area.The flower repels pests such as the moth and aphids. Flower seeds, falling to the ground, form new buds the next year. The main task of the gardener is to form a neat bush.
You can sow the area around the apple tree with white clover. During flowering, a beautiful white carpet forms, which becomes a soft bedding for the falling apples. The pleasant, sweet aroma of clover attracts the attention of pollinating insects, which will improve the quality of pollination of the apple tree itself. In addition, white clover saturates the soil with nitrogen and protects the roots from larval attacks.
Celandine is capable of disinfecting and cleaning the soil. The plant protects the area from the attack of aphids.
A plant like lupine will help increase yields. The flower enriches the earth with nitrogen. In autumn, this plant in a crushed form mulch the soil.
Cultivated
You can plant marigolds around the trunk of a fruit tree. The flowers are unpretentious, they can develop in the shade. Many pests do not like the smell of plants. In addition, the plant protects the tree from fungal infections.
Decorate the area around the tree with nasturtium. A lush carpet of flowers protects the soil from the first frost, serves as a natural mulch and repels most pests.
Asters are perennial and annual. They differ in the size and shape of the petals, color and diameter of the inflorescence. Any kind of flower will be a garden decoration. It is recommended to sow asters under an apple tree.
Feels good under the pome fruit crop of calendula. It is considered a medicinal plant that repels insects. Calendula attracts ladybirds, which destroy aphids.
Many gardeners plant spring flowers that bloom before the leaves bloom on the branches and create shade. These flowers include tulip, crocuses, daffodils.
Flowers such as iris, daylily, pansies, primrose, bathers, sedum, daisies, forget-me-nots are also successfully combined with wood.
Flower bed location options
Flowers can be planted in various ways:
- It is possible to plant flowers in rows, alternating several types.
- A flower bed of flowers of the same color looks beautiful.
- As an option, make a multi-tiered composition, combining with other greenery and decorative stones.
- Flowers can be sown in separate containers or made for them a convex bed.
Some gardeners plant a lawn with meadow grass seeds.
Garden plants and herbs
If the apple tree in the garden is not sprayed with chemicals all year round, then crops that tolerate partial shade can be planted. Garlic, legumes, spinach develop well under these conditions. The greens growing under the tree have a juicy taste and rich aroma: sorrel, parsley, dill, salads.
Cucumbers
If the crown of the tree is well thinned and located far from the ground, cucumbers are planted in the near-trunk zone at a distance of one meter. The plot has been prepared since autumn. They bring in two buckets of humus and carefully dig up the ground, being careful not to damage the roots of the tree.
In the spring, the near-stem section is freed from fallen foliage and depressions are made around the perimeter at a distance of 35 cm. As soon as the soil warms up, seedlings are planted. A peg is stuck around each cucumber bush. A rope is pulled from the peg to the lower branches of the tree. The whips of cucumbers will climb along them.
Water the cucumbers every other day. Top dressing is carried out once every two weeks. Use mullein solution.
Tomatoes
Some experienced gardeners use the area under the apple trees to plant several tomato bushes. The smell of tomato tops repels many pests. It should be remembered that a good harvest of tomatoes when planted under a tree can only be harvested in a good, warm summer.
Pumpkins and squash
You can grow pumpkins and zucchini under the tree, provided that sunlight touches the area for at least a few hours a day. Previously, the land is mulched. In a layer of mulch, holes are made, which are filled with soil with fertilizers. Only after that germinated seeds or young bushes of seedlings are planted in the recesses.
Council. It is undesirable to plant both vegetables under the tree at the same time. The proximity of these crops leads to over-pollination, as a result, the quality and taste of the fruit decreases.
Shade-loving berry plants
Strawberries and strawberries are sown around the trunk. These berries are early, so they will have time to get sufficient development until the moment when a lush crown blooms on the apple tree.
Berries growing under the tree do not dry out and do not require frequent watering. In order for the sun's rays to fall on the meadow of berries, they are seated at a distance of 90-110 cm from the trunk.
Shrubs
Shrubs are recommended to be planted away from the apple tree. Many shrubs have strong root branches that will inhibit tree growth.
You can not plant rose bushes, lilacs, barberries, jasmine, viburnum, juniper nearby fruit crops. All these shrubs can negatively affect the immune system of the apple tree.
Currant
Currant is a perennial shrub that can grow sprawling or compact. Plant height is within 150 cm. Currant grows well in partial shade.
Currants take root quite close to the apple tree. It should be planted at a distance of 1.5-2 meters so that there is enough free space for the roots, and the light penetrates the shrub without obstacles.
The pruning of branches in two garden crops is carried out at the same time, which is very convenient. Fertilizers are used universal.
Council. It is impossible to plant red and black currants next to each other, the yield of berries decreases.
If there is a need to transplant currants to another place, you should carefully dig out its roots so as not to damage the root system of the apple tree.
Juniper
Juniper is an evergreen coniferous shrub. Plant height reaches three meters. The shrub is very picky about light. Necessity must be taken into account to exclude many diseases.
Juniper grown under an apple tree can negatively affect its development and fruiting. The shrub is often subject to disease such as rust. Infections are quickly transmitted to fruit crops, reduce the number of crops and lead to drying of the branches.
Raspberry
Raspberry is a popular fruit and berry shrub on the site. The raspberry root system grows strongly and is located close to the surface of the earth, therefore it absorbs a lot of water and trace elements.
The raspberry bush does not coexist well with other trees and shrubs. But not all. Raspberries get along well with an apple tree. These two cultures protect each other from various diseases. Raspberries are best planted on the south side of the tree.
Raspberries, planted under a fruit crop, need frequent watering. With a lack of moisture, the berries grow small, and the leaves dry out.
What trees can be planted nearby
The apple tree has strong roots, so any tree planted nearby competes with it for moisture and nutritional components. Feels good with apple trees, pear and raspberry. But if conditions are favorable, other trees can be planted.
Cherry
The fruit tree is quite compatible with the sweet cherry. But it is worth remembering that cherries develop well and form a high-quality crop only on fertile soils with high aeration and moisture permeability.
If you plant a crop close to an apple tree, the yield will be significantly reduced, as competition will arise. The optimum distance between planted trees is 10 meters.
Cherry
The apple tree has a strong, well-developed root and a large crown.Cherry is not a very tall tree, so this neighborhood affects the amount of harvest. Apple trees and cherries love the same soil. The land should be fertile, moderately acidic.
When planting an apple tree with a cherry nearby, take into account the optimal distance from each other. The distance from medium-sized varieties of apple trees to cherries should be at least 9 meters. If the apple tree is large, then the distance increases to 13 meters. To collect a rich harvest of cherries, the lightest and most windless area in the garden is chosen for planting.
Plum
Plum belongs to stone fruit crops. The average height of the tree is 8 meters. The root system spreads over long distances, deepening by 35 cm.
Favorable compatibility between apple and plum trees. Only one condition is observed - you need to plant plums at a distance of 2 meters. Gardeners note the high yield of crops that grow in the neighborhood.
What neighborhood does an apple tree not like
There are plants that need to be planted away from the apple tree, otherwise the risk of pests, development of diseases and deterioration in the quality and quantity of the crop increases:
- The proximity of an apple tree with such trees and shrubs as hazel, hawthorn, elderberry, acacia, viburnum, peaches, bird cherry is undesirable. During flowering, these trees attract pests that are dangerous to the apple tree.
- You should not plant white cabbage, carrots, onions, mint, sage around the culture. The growth and development of trees is badly affected by potatoes planted nearby.
- Do not plant lilies of the valley around apple trees. Their root system is bad for the roots of the fruit tree.
Subject to all these rules, you can make the most of every piece of land on the site without losing your crop. Flowers will not take up much space, they will create comfort and help to improve the health of the earth.
