The Gardener's Almanac

Overview ;

A good time to do any secondary pruning before the trees / shrubs come into leaf.

 

Similarly, a good time to tie in any trees / shrubs that have loosened over the winter.

 

If weather and soil conditions allow there is still time to plant out any fruit trees that could not be planted at the end of the previous year.

 

Week No. 5 - 29th Jan to 4th Feb

 

• Shorten the leaders of all young cherry trees by half over the next two to three weeks.

 

• Protect Plum & Damson flower buds against bird damage.

 

• Feed Pear trees.

 

Week No. 6 - 5th to 11th

 

• Tie in grape vines as necessary.

 

• Cut back laterals on Peach trees.

 

• Protect emerging buds on various fruit trees from birds.

 

Week No. 7 - 12th to 18th

 

• Check Apple trees for signs of canker.

 

• Prune out excessive leaf growth on Apple trees if necessary.

 

• Prune autumn fruiting Raspberries.

 

• Thin out Raspberry canes.

 

• Plant outdoor grape vines if conditions allow.

 

 

Week No. 8 - 19th to 25th

 

• If not done earlier, plant out Raspberry canes if conditions allow.

 

• Tie in established Raspberry canes.

 

• Top dress the soil around Apple trees with a high potash fertiliser.

 

• Replace top 50-75 mm (2"-3") of compost on containerised peaches.

 

• Prune and feed; Blueberry, Billberry, Cranberry.

 

• Firm in Plum & Damson trees that may have loosened over the winter months.

 

• Prepare Strawberry bed if soil conditions allow.