january-fruit

Gardeners Diary for the month of

JANUARY

Fruit

Tie in Raspberry canes to the training wires.
Examine Apple trees for signs of canker. If found cut back to clean wood and treat with a wound healing compound such as Arbrex.
Feed Blackcurrant bushes with a general fertiliser at the rate of 4-6oz per bush.
Prune Gooseberries.
Check labels and renew if needed.
Any newly planted Blackcurrants should be cut back to 2-3" above the ground to encourage the growth of strong shoots from below ground level.
Cut newly planted Raspberries to a prominent bud 6" above the ground.
Check any cuttings of Gooseberries and currants taken in the autumn and firm if they have loosened.
Ensure tree ties are still in place and stakes firm.
Check and firm any newly planted trees.
Check grease bands on older trees and renew if needed.
If not done in December, spray all fruit trees with a winter tar wash. This must be done before the trees come back into growth.