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Cordon apples are usually planted 2 ft. to 3 ft. apart in the row, while
bush apples on dwarf stocks are given 10 ft.. 5 ft. apart each way is the
distance for gooseberry and currant bushes, while raspberry canes should be
placed 18 in. apart with 6 t. between the rows. If you are planting cordon
gooseberries or red currants, allow 1 ft. apart.
For the rest of this note it is proposed to deal with the planting
of cordon and bush apples. When the time is right, take out enough soil to
make a hole wide and deep enough to allow the roots to be evenly spread out.
In planting cordon apples it is generally better to take out a fairly wide
shallow trench along the entire row. Cut back any coarse or injured roots on
tree or bush, using an upward sloping cut. Set the tree in the hole and
spread the roots out evenly. In planting against a wall or fence keep the
stem about 6 in. away from it. Sprinkle some fine soil over the roots. If
there is more than one layer of roots, hold up the upper roots. Work the
soil well into the spaces between the lower roots, and when they are
covered, tread the soil firmly. Keep on filling and treading until the hole
is completely filled in.
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Firm planting is
very important, but do not plant any deeper than the tree or bush was
planted in the nursery; you can usually judge this by the ring of soil
adhering to the stem. Complete your planting by giving a mulch of farmyard
manure or compost.
Cordon apples are not set upright, but sloping at an angle of about
45°. If your rows run north to south, keep the
roots to the south, with the top of the tree sloping north. When the rows
run east to west, the slope of the trees is not so important.
Bush apples on Malling IX root stock (see
September Guide) need staking with a stout
stake, which should be driven in about 2 ft. from the base of the stem, so
that the stake rests against the stem at an angle of about 45°
and points in the direction from which the wind generally comes. The stake
should be driven in securely until the top just comes to rest against the
stem below the lowest branch. Wrap a bit of sacking round the stem and stake
together with strong cord.
The pruning of newly-planted fruit trees and bushes will be touched
on in a later Guide. |
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