Fact Sheet Eight - Download here THE GARDENERS DIARY
WEEK 8
21 November 2004 HOW TO TAKE HARDWOOD CUTTINGS: 1) Hardwood cuttings are a cheap option if you wish to increase your stock on certain varieties of shrubs. 2) Hardwood cuttings root more slowly than softwood or semi-ripe cuttings that are taken in spring and early summer. The good thing about hardwood cuttings is that they don't need heat and because you plant them into the open ground or in a cold frame, watering won't be a chore. 3) Hardwood cuttings can be taken from a variety of shrubs such as like Cornus (Dogwood), Buddleia, Ribes (Flowering Currant), Salix (Willow), Forsythia (Golden Bell) or Philadelphus. These are just a few you could choose from. 4) Choose stems that are not too old or woody. The ideal thickness is about the thickness of a pencil and the cutting needs to be around 15cm in length. 5) If you want to take more than one cutting from each shrub simply chose a longer stem and cut into several 15cm lengths. 6) Make the base or rooting cut straight and the top cut at an angle just above a bud. This will make it easier on planting the cuttings once outside. 7) Moisten the base of the cuttings in water. Once you have the amount of cuttings required dig a slit trench with a spade a little shallower than the length of the cuttings. 8) Choose a position where the plants can be left undisturbed for a year. Sprinkle some gritty sand into the base of the trench if you have a poorly drained soil. This will help to prevent water logging around the cuttings. 9) Dip the straight end into some rooting hormone powder and then insert the cuttings 8-10cm apart and leave about 3-5cm above the ground. 10) Firm the soil around the cuttings and then water and label. Remember to water in dry weather. 11) After a year lift the rooted cuttings and plant into containers or the site where you want for them to prosper. THE DIARY LAWN JOBS: Give Worm Casts The Brush Off. Worm casts can be a pain at this time of the year and unfortunately their is no chemical control available to kill off worms and other turf pests so the only cure is to brush the worm casts off. Start at the far end of the lawn and then brush across the lawn using a besom or ekel broom. Remove the worm casts and brush them onto your borders and flowerbeds, as they are full of vital nutrients for your border plants. Do this at regular intervals over the next few weeks. As soon as the weather worsens leave the lawn until the spring. VEGETABLE JOBS: Examine Stored Onions and Shallots Onions that are being stored inside, if well ripened, will keep for a long time. you will however need to check them for signs of softening and decay. If they are softening and decaying then use the softest bulbs as soon as possible and decayed specimens should be burned. Shallot sets that are being kept for replanting should be turned over occasionally. One thing to consider for next season is to store double the quantity that you require; this should help allow for losses through the storage period until you are ready to plant next spring.
Coming soon!
The Gardeners Diary will be publishing the second of its extra fact sheets. A guide to houseplant care.
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