Fact Sheet Fifteen
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THE GARDENERS DIARY
WEEK 15
9th January 2005
THE DIARY PRUNE FRUIT TREES This task needs to be started with the removal of dead and diseased wood. The next thing to do is thin out the crown. This is easier than it seems. Remove any inward growing stems completely then remove the leader if desired; to keep the fruit within reach. The leader is the main stem/branch of the tree. Once this has been done most apple and pears branch out in pairs. Look at each pair of branchlets and decide on which is the strongest. Once your choice is made prune the weaker stem down to one or two buds; pruning on an outward facing bud. When you are pruning make sure you cut just above a new bud and cut at an angle away from the bud. This will stop any water resting on the cut or running in toward the cut. The stronger stem will produce the coming year's blossom and fruit. The pruned stem will shoot out and produce a stronger stem for next year's crop. Next winter remove the fruited stem back to one or two buds. This will keep your tree healthy and under control. On any wound you make on your fruit tree over an inch in diameter we suggest sealing with a pruning compound like Arbrex or Medo. This will hopefully help stop any future infections of canker and other diseases. Prune fan trained and espalier trees in the same way aiming to keep the desired shape. THE DIARY
FLOWER GARDEN JOBS:
Start with an early clean-up.
If mild this week; take your border fork out to your shrub beds and start cleaning and clearing. Shallowly fork the soil removing all weed leaf and root growth. As you do this apply a granular shrub fertiliser to the cleared area. Lightly work in the fertilizer. Once weeds are removed apply a mulch of cocoa shell or composted bark to help suppress future weed growth.
GREENHOUSE JOBS:
Disinfect pots and trays ready for use.
With the new greenhouse season just starting; pots and trays need to be as clean as possible. If not the threat of losing crops to a number of causes could be just around the corner. Sieve through all your pots and trays. Discard any that are cracked, damaged or broken. Replace these as soon as possible. Take all your containers which are going to be used for the coming season and put them into a large vat of a sterilising solution and then leave them over-night. The following morning take the sterilised containers and rinse them in some warm water and allow to dry. Once dry stand in a clean and sterilised area until needed.
LAWN CARE JOBS:
Check out the lawn care products available.
Other than watching each frost thawing and each shower passing; jobs involving the lawn are fairly non-existent. One job which I would suggest do is take a trip to your local garden centre or nursery and have a look at the new ranges of lawn care equipment and chemicals available. Note the chemicals and products you are going to require and then slowly each week purchase small quantities. This will make it a little easier on your purse strings and when the season starts you can relax knowing that the lawn will be well-cared for.
PEST PROBLEM OF THE WEEK:
Time to give over-wintering eggs a wash.
This week sees a turning point in your gardening calendar; some of you out there may have already done this job before Christmas but for those of you who haven't then this is definitely one you need to do. The wash can be found at any good garden centre and should be used on all your dormant deciduous shrubs and trees. Over-wintering insects and their eggs waiting to drive you up the wall this coming season. These insects are imbedded in the nooks and crannies of the bark of your plants well insulated from the hash weather. Only use this wash on deciduous plants; try and keep the mixture away from evergreens and green vegetables as it will burn the foliage. By applying this wash it will hopefully help on minimising the pest control later in the year. | 
