Dates are the fruits of the date tree, which belongs to the Palm family. Dates are valuable food products that are widely used in cooking.
Dates can be grown in a variety of regions, but they grow best in tropical and subtropical regions.
1. Variety selection
When choosing a date variety, you need to consider the following factors:
- Purpose of cultivation. For cultivation as a fruit tree, varieties with high yields and good quality fruits are selected.
- Size. Date trees are dwarf, medium-sized and large-sized. For growing in small gardens, dwarf or medium-sized varieties are selected.
2. Soil preparation
Dates are light-loving and moisture-loving plants, so to grow them you need to prepare a sunny and humid place.
The soil for planting dates should be fertile and well-drained.
3. Landing
Date seedlings are planted in the spring, when the threat of frost has passed.
Seedlings are planted in planting holes with a depth and diameter of 60-70 cm. A drainage layer of broken brick or crushed stone is poured into the planting hole, then a layer of fertile soil. The seedlings are planted so that the root collar is at soil level. After planting, the seedlings are watered abundantly.
4. Plant care
Dates are unpretentious plants, but to obtain good growth and development, the following measures must be taken:
- Watering. Dates are moisture-loving plants, so they need to be watered regularly. Water the plants 2-3 times a week, using 10-15 liters of water per 1 m².
- Feeding. During the period of active plant growth, 2-3 fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out. The first feeding is carried out in the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the second - in the flowering phase, the third - in the fruiting phase.
- Trimming. To form the crown of dates, pruning is carried out. Pruning is carried out in the spring, before the buds open.
5. Harvest
Dates ripen in September-October. Dates are harvested when they are fully ripe.
Some tips for growing dates
- To get an earlier harvest of dates, you can grow them from seeds. Date seeds are sown in late winter - early spring in containers with fertile soil. After sprouts appear on the seed, they are planted in open ground.
- To increase the yield of dates, you can plant it next to other fruit trees. Fruit trees create a favorable microclimate for the growth of dates.
More information about dates
- Dates are good honey plants, so they can be planted in gardens to attract bees.
- Dates are a valuable raw material for the production of palm sugar, which is used in cooking and medicine.
- Dates are a source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.