The Gardener's Almanac

Overview ;

As like last month; the priority in the fruit garden this month is to ensure that plants do not want for feeding and moisture.

 

Some crops will require fruit thinning out to ensure that the fruit left is of good quality and size.

 

Then there is the need to always be on the look out for pests and disease, so they / it can be brought under control before they / it gets out of control.

 

 

Week No. 18 - 30th Apr to 5th May

 

• Continue picking Rhubarb.

 

• Stop laterals on grape vines.

 

• Feed Gooseberry bushes.

 

• Ensure that Plum & Damson trees are not drying out.

 

• Prune Peach / Nectarine trees.

 

• Hang pheromone traps in Plum & Damson trees this month to catch plum and codling moth

 

 

Week No. 19 - 6th to 12th

 

• To encourage flowering on apple trees, try; ‘'Ring barking'

 

• Deter infestations of Gooseberry sawfly larvae.

 

Week No. 20 - 13th to 19th

 

• Ensure that Apples, Pears, Raspberries, are not drying out.

 

• Prune out new shoots on espalier and fan trained fruit that is growing away from its support.

 

• Weed around the base of Peach / Nectarine trees then spread an organic mulch.

 

 

Week No. 21 - 20th to 26th

 

• Prune Cherry, Plum, Damson trees if necessary.

 

Week No. 22 - 27th to 2nd June

 

• Ensure that Blackberry, Cherries, Loganberry, Tayberry do not run short of water.

 

• Control weeds around Pears and Raspberries by shallow hoeing, and applying a mulch afterwards.

 

• Pinch back Fig shoots to five or six leaves to promote fruit formation, then feed the plants.

 

• Manually pollinate Peaches and Nectarines.

 

• Start thinning Gooseberries, Plum, Damson fruit.

 

• Spray Strawberry plants with a systemic fungicide to prevent fungus disorders.