The Fruit Garden in April
Overview:
The priority in the fruit garden this month is to ensure that plants get off to a good start.
This will entail protecting them from wildlife, drying out and ensuring that they are well fed.
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 14 - 2nd Apr. to 8th Apr.
Protect flower buds on Cherry trees from bird attack.
Mulch Black / Red & White currants.
If conditions allow, carefully remove weeds from around established Strawberry plants, following with a top dressing of high Potash fertiliser.
If not done the previous autumn, and if conditions allow plant out new Strawberry plants.
Week 15 - 9th Apr. to 15th Apr.
Feed Raspberry canes.
Sever rooted Blackberry layers.
Week 16 - 16th Apr. - 22nd Apr.
If not done earlier in the season feed Blueberry, Billberry, Cranberry.
Apply fungicide to Gooseberries at flower bud stage, to prevent mildew.(choose a day when there is little or no wind to ensure that spray drift will not affect adjacent plants.)
Check fruit trees for Aphids and treat accordingly.
Encourage good Grape pollination.
Week 17 - 23rd Apr. - 29th Apr.
Check Rhubarb in forcing jars or under buckets to see if it is ready for harvesting.
If not done previously check fruit trees for Aphids and treat accordingly.