How to Plant and Care for the Sapling?
The pruning methods vary depending on the size and planting density. It is generally important to make sure that the branches are exposed to sunlight, and that they are not intertwined. Below you will find detailed information on monthly walnut planting and care.
NOVEMBER
– Primarily it should be made sure that the purchased walnut saplings are correct type and good quality (with developed root structure, and wide bore).
– The size of the holes where the saplings are going to be planted must be 60×60 cm, and the hole must be half filled with topsoil, and 2-3 shovels of burned animal fertilizer. The burned animal fertilizer is crucially important for the sapling since it makes the soil not to depress the sapling root and keeps the sapling warm in the winter, while it keeps it moist and cool in the summer. However, if it is not possible to find burned animal fertilizer, chemical root fertilizers must be used. These fertilizers are between 20-20 or 18-46 (DAP), and must be used by throwing 150-200 grams of it at the base of the pit.
– Later on, the roots of the walnut saplings are pruned (in which some of the longer roots are cut out), the sapling is placed in the soil while keeping the inoculated section 5 cm above the soil, annealed soil is added to the root section, the top is filled with the moved soil, and 5 liters of sap water is applied.
– If the land is windy, the saplings are tied with a stake.
DECEMBER
Since the walnut sapling is basically in dormant state, it does not require any care. The planting may be done this month, as well; in the way we have described it for November.
JANUARY
Since the walnut sapling is basically in dormant state, it does not require any care. The planting may be done this month, as well; in the way we have described it for November.
FEBRUARY
– The top pruning of the newly planted walnut saplings is conducted at 40 cm height.
– The preparation of the Bordeaux Mixture: Bordeaux mixture is a compound prepared by using copper vitriol (98% Copper Sulphate) and lime.
Here is how the 2% Bordeaux mixture is prepared:
-2 kg of copper vitriol is melted in 50 liters of water. Later on, caustic lime that is half the amount of the copper vitriol amount, i.e. 1 kg, is melted in a small amount of water. The melted lime is filtered and mixed with 50 liters of water. After that, the two mixtures are combined in a container of 100 liters, and this way a light blue mixture is obtained.
– The sapling planting may continue.
MARCH
– In the month of March, attention is necessary for the walnut sapling care.
– The rain and snow water throughout the winter tucks the soil, and the hard layer that forms as a result of this must be broken with a hand hoe until the end of March. This is going to allow the evaporation of the water accumulated at the root of the sapling, and the sapling root to breathe and work. – – – Additionally, this allows for better penetration of the rainwater into the soil, until the irrigation time.
– The top pruning that could not be done in February is conducted at 40 cm height.
– The sapling planting may continue.
APRIL
– The bottom of the inoculation point is frequently checked, and wild sprouts are cut.
– Except for the first days, open root walnut sapling planting is not recommended, however tube sapling planting may continue.
MAY
– At the beginning of May and in mid month, ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate fertilizers are applied per tree age at the rate of 100 grams/tree starting from the first year of the saplings for the development of the walnut trees.
– Irrigation starts from the 15th of May. The amount of water and time intervals varies depending on the soil structure and the climate.
– If dark spots are noticed on the walnut saplings, 1% bordeaux mixture or ready-mixed copper is used.
– Here is how the 1% bordeaux mixture is prepared: 1 kg of copper vitriol is melted in 50 liters of water. Later on, caustic lime that is half the amount of the copper vitriol amount, i.e. 0,5 kg, is melted in a small amount of water. The melted lime is filtered and mixed with 50 liters of water. After that, the two mixtures are combined in a container of 100 liters, and this way a light blue mixture is obtained.
– If leafhoppers are detected, insecticides are applied.
– If there is grass around the sapling, hoeing is done with a hand hoe. This way the root of the sapling operates comfortably.
– The tube walnut sapling planting may continue.
JUNE
– At the beginning of June and in mid month, ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate fertilizers are applied per tree age at the rate of 100 grams/tree starting from the first year of the saplings for the development of the walnut trees.
– Irrigation continues. The amount of water and time intervals varies depending on the soil structure and the climate.
– If leafhoppers are detected again, insecticides are applied.
– If there is grass around the sapling, hoeing is done with a hand hoe. This way the root of the sapling operates comfortably.
– The tube walnut sapling planting may continue.
JULY
– Irrigation may continue.
– The tube walnut sapling planting may continue. However, we do not recommend this so much since the saplings will require considerable amount of care in this month.
AUGUST
– The irrigation is reduced starting from August 15, and allow the walnut sapling to get ready for the winter.
– The tube sapling planting may continue. However, we do not recommend this so much since the saplings will require considerable amount of care in this month.
SEPTEMBER
– Irrigation is not done this month, but if the season seems to be too dry, a small amount of water that is enough to protect the trunk of the sapling must be applied.
– The fruit of the walnut tree is harvested.
– The tube sapling planting may continue.
OCTOBER
– The leaves that fall from the walnut saplings are gathered and burned.
– Dry branches of the sapling are removed by pruning.
– The tube sapling planting may continue.