any growing plants and you can use this method at any time of the year. Root cuttings of perennials can be taken now oriental poppy, acanthus, sea holly, dicentra and verbascum. Cuttings made are placed in free draining compost and covered in grit. pots or trays are then placed in a cold frame. Other jobs to do in January include pruning buddleIa and elder hard back to their base. Prevent the spread of hellebore leaf spot disease by cutting out any foliage with black blotches. Cut down ornamental grasses before new shoots appear; keep potted peach and nectarine plants under cover to avoid peach leaf curl.
New shoots will develop in the direction the bud is pointing, so it is important to prune to outer facing buds to encourage outward and open growth. February Check-List: A potash rich fertiliser can be spread over the soil at the base of fruit trees. This helps to promote good flowering and fruiting. Hoe into the surface and cover with a good mulch of compost. Finish pruning fruit trees, including apples and pears but do not prune plums or gages. Crops you can sow now for your five a day; warm up your soil using cloches, then sow, hardy peas, broad beans, parsnips, early carrots and salad crops February and under cover, sow crops to plant out in Certain crops may be hardy enough to the spring, they include lettuce, brussels plant now, - garlic onion and shallots sprouts and cabbages. are good examples. But mainly the temperatures will be too low for seeds to Place rabbit guards around the base of germinate. young trees to prevent damage. Start to Get roses into shape: It’s annual pruning prepare soil where you are going to be time. Here are some simple steps to laying turf or lawn seed in April, this gives pruning shrub and bush roses; the ground time to settle. Prune out crossing shoots; by doing Finally for February, deter hungry snails this you create an open frame work, old as the weather starts to warm up they will shoots that no longer flower can also be removed. Also cut out rubbing stems that head straight for tender young shoots of delphiniums and other flowers. So ensure may cause damage to others. Crowded branches that prevent airflow around the you put adequate protection in place. rose can also be pruned. A couple of old sayings Check for die back; remove any stems If you see the under side of leaves in that have died cutting back into healthy a gentle breeze it will rain before you wood. Make sloping cuts close to a bud sneeze. when you prune, this helps to avoid die back in the future. To improve shape and If February brings no rain ‘Tis neither good for grass nor grain. flowering, pruning cuts are made just above a bud and this encourages a bud to Coming in the next issue; Top Tips and Hints for Growing Tomatoes. flower. Visit our website - www.stminverlink.org
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