A beginner's guide to watering a peach correctly in summer
Watering is the most important agrotechnical procedure in plant care. Gardeners are especially attentive to her, who grow capricious peach trees on their site. Without regular and proper moistening of the soil, it is impossible to get a crop - the plants will dry out and die. Let's consider in detail how often to water the peach tree and what recommendations to follow.
The content of the article
Do I need to water the peach in summer
The peach is watered from late March to autumn, including the summer months... The root system of the tree goes 20-60 cm underground.
The plant does not tolerate waterlogging, so water the soil as it dries, observing the intervals between procedures.
This is not to say that the tree loves moisture very much, however, summer residents try to prevent the soil from drying out and cracking.
How often to water
The frequency of the procedure depends on the weather conditions, the variety and age of the peach. On average, the tree is moistened once every 4-6 weeks.
Water consumption rates:
- a tree takes up to a year from 5 to 10 liters of water;
- per plant from 2 to 5 years - from 8 to 15 liters;
- from 5 years and older - from 20 to 25 liters.
Irrigation water requirements
Some summer residents use tap or rain water for irrigation, others from a well or reservoir... The tap water is filtered, but contains chlorine, which is harmful to horticultural and horticultural crops. Well water is rich in minerals, but the excess of trace elements makes it unsuitable for irrigation.
Water from a reservoir is less suitable for soil moistening, because it may contain toxic waste, chemicals, decay products. The most suitable option is rain. It is soft and high in natural oxygen. To stock up on rainwater, iron or plastic barrels and other containers are placed on the site.
Attention! The optimum water temperature for peach irrigation is + 22 ° C. A cold one has a negative effect on the root system, especially if you water the plant on a hot day. The ability of trees to absorb nutrients decreases.
What can be added
Sometimes gardeners combine watering with fertilization... Prepare an infusion of wood ash: 1 tbsp. l. ash is poured into 1 liter of boiling water and insisted for 7 days. After the solution is mixed with 10 liters of water and brought under the fruit tree in the prepared holes. Ash is rich in potassium and phosphorus, is quickly absorbed and improves the fruiting of peaches.
Also you can add dried nettles, dandelions or calendula flowers to the water, leave for 2-3 days and bring under the plant. Such a product not only moisturizes the soil, but also protects the trunk and shoots from pests. The fertilizer is organic, does not harm the quality of the fruit and surrounding plants.
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How to properly water a peach in summer
There are several methods of watering - normal, sprinkling or liquid top dressing. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Watering methods
Experienced gardeners it is recommended to bring water into prepared grooves or holes located at a distance of 20-30 cm from the trunk... The depth of the grooves is 30-50 cm. After watering, the holes are sprinkled with loose earth. This is the simplest and most common way to moisturize.
By the same principle, summer residents make liquid top dressing.... If you just water the tree at the root (no holes), most of the water and nutrients will not get to the roots. Especially if the procedure is carried out on a hot day, the water quickly evaporates from the soil surface.
Another way of watering is sprinkling... Water droplets are sprayed over the plant and fall on branches, fruits, leaves. There is, for example, a pulse sprinkler system. Plants are irrigated during the hottest period.
During normal sprinkling, water is supplied to the plants at intervals of 2-3 days. The advantage of the method is that a favorable microclimate is created for fruit ripening.
Attention! The disadvantage of sprinkler mechanisms is the high financial costs of manufacturing or purchasing. Also, such machines do not always wet heavy and clay soils. Therefore, most often gardeners use conventional irrigation in the grooves.
What mistakes to avoid
Frequent mistakes of beginner gardeners - watering with cold or water from open reservoirs... It is also not recommended to moisturize the peach during the day, it is better to do it in the early morning (before 9:00) or in the evening (after 20:00).
And the most common mistake is excessive moisture. The main rule: it is better not to add water than to pour it over. Otherwise, the root system will rot, the peach tree will get sick and lose its harvest.
Watering peaches when planting
Peaches are planted in spacious and sunny areas, keeping the distance between trees 2-3 m... The seedling is placed in a prepared hole, the roots are straightened and sprinkled with soil, and then watered abundantly with warm and clean water. One plant takes 1-2 buckets.
After watering, the tree must be sprinkled with a mulch layer. - use hay, sawdust, ash, peat, grass. This will prevent water from evaporating from the soil surface, moisture will penetrate deep into the roots.
During flowering and fruiting
The flowering time of the peach tree depends on varieties and regions cultivation... For example, in the south, flowering begins around mid-June and lasts 2-4 weeks, in the middle lane - 15-25 days later.
During this period, the plant is moderately watered, since the load on the tree increases, the peach needs moisture and fertilization.
Attention! Gardeners stop watering the peach tree 7-10 days before the start of fruiting. It is not recommended to carry out other agrotechnical measures: prevention, feeding, pruning. Also, many are interested in the question of how to water during the ripening period. Experienced gardeners advise on these days watering to be minimized.
Experienced gardening tips
So that the tree bears fruit at the right time, does not hurt and has tasty and beautiful fruits, experienced gardeners recommend following simple directions:
- mulch the tree after watering with a layer 3-4 cm thick to avoid drying out the roots;
- alternate watering with plain water with the introduction of liquid organic and mineral fertilizers;
- do not use cold water;
- before watering, loosen the soil to make it lighter and more permeable;
- if it's rainy, reduce the frequency of watering.
Conclusion
It is best to use rainwater to moisturize the peach tree. It is mild, chlorine free and useful for all garden plants. If there is no such water, tap water is used. A seedling takes 5-10 liters, for an adult tree - from 15 to 25 liters.
Before the procedure, the soil is loosened, after which the base of the tree is sprinkled with a mulch layer. Watering is stopped 10 days before fruiting. Renewed only a week after harvest.