Despite the fact that the apple tree, beloved by many, is an unpretentious plant, there are crops that are better not to plant next to it.
The fact is that certain “neighbors” can negatively affect the apple tree’s yield.
On the contrary, there are those representatives of the flora that can help the tree produce as many fruits as possible.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh, an expert of the online publication BelNovosti, agronomist and landscape designer, reported in detail about both.
What can be planted next to an apple tree
First of all, the expert points to raspberries, which are the apple tree’s “true friend”.
The thing is that raspberry roots loosen and saturate the soil with oxygen. In "gratitude" for this, the apple tree protects the bushes from gray mold.
But it is important to remember: this harmony continues until the moment when the apple tree becomes a powerful tree.
Then it “covers” the raspberries, which no longer have enough light, and as a result the bushes wither away.
Pumpkins or squashes are also good "neighbors" for an apple tree. But you shouldn't plant both crops at the same time: one or the other.
Also, with this arrangement, it is necessary that all plants receive sunlight at least a couple of hours a day.
The expert also draws attention to maple, the phytoncides of which protect the apple tree from the codling moth.
However, maple should be pruned every year.
White clover can be considered as a kind of carpet for falling apples. It also protects the roots of the apple tree from various larvae.
Pear, quince, garlic, plum, honeysuckle and cherry, lupine and marigold also get along well with apple trees.
What not to plant
Peach trees, whose root system will take moisture and nutrition from the apple tree.
Bird cherry used as a "bed" by the glasswing. If there is an apple tree nearby, it will definitely attack it, and then you will not see a harvest.
Viburnum. It takes all the moisture from the soil. And rose hips are not recommended because they grow too much.
Gooseberry and blackcurrant. In such a neighborhood, either the apple tree or they will yield a harvest. But not at the same time.
Sunflowers. They emit substances that are not suitable for good growth of apple trees.
Coniferous trees. They acidify the soil.
Previously, we told you how to get rid of plum shoots forever.
