The Gardeners Almanac

The place to find out what to do in the garden this week
My Back Garden

The Fruit Garden in February

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.


Note: As with most advice on gardening the advisors location will often influence the content of the advice.

To alleviate this problem I have produced this chart indicating how you can make adjustments to the timing of events as seen in this website.

I hope you find this useful! .......Tg


Week 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 and Damson flower buds against bird damage.

Feed Pear trees.


Week 6 - 5th Feb. to 11th Feb

Tie in Grape vines as necessary.

Cut back laterals on Peach trees.

Protect emerging buds on various fruit trees from birds.


Week 7 - 12th Feb. to 18th Feb.

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 8 - 19th Feb. to 25th Feb..

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 and Damson trees that may have loosened over the winter months.

Prepare Strawberry bed if soil conditions allow.