SOFT FRUITS
These do well in all areas of Britain. For a longer cropping season, grow suitable varieties to achieve this, e.g., Autumn raspberries, perpetual strawberries, as well as the usual Summer varieties.
Do try black currants, red currants, white currants, gooseberries (all good for jams, jelly, ice cream, liqueur). Jostaberries (currant / gooseberry cross) are better than
the Worsterberry. Try Blueberries and Cranberries, if you already have, or can provide an acid soil in a container.
RECOMMENDED GROWING CONDITIONS.
Most fruit prefers a sunny aspect for at least for part of the day. If growing on a wall, it is better to grow them against a West-facing wall rather than an East-facing wall, as early morning sun, can damage the fruit buds after a frosty night. For the same reason, try to avoid planting fruit in a frost hollow, where the cold air cannot flow away. Shelter from the wind will help flowering and pollination by Bees and ripening of the fruit. The ground should be well drained, with plenty of humus to retain moisture. In other words, boggy ground is no good, but they also do not like drying out. Go easy on the fertilizer, as too much nitrogen, leads to sappy growth and a lack of fruit. A sprinkling of Sulphate of Potash, will encourage flower buds. Be very careful when applying to Strawberries, as it is easy to burn the roots and damage the plant.
PLANTING
Dig over the bed where the fruit is going to grow, incorporating humus and a sprinkling of a slow release fertilizer such as bone meal. Soak the root balls of both bare-rooted and container grown plants before planting. Ensure that the roots are gently teased out so that they get off to a good start. Dig a hole big enough to take the root ball and put the plant at the same depth as it used to be, before refilling the hole and firming with your boot all round. Water well and ensure that the ground does not dry out for the first year. Staking should not be necessary.
PESTS.
Forget all that sentimental nonsense about Squirrel Nutkins, Cooing Doves and other Pterodactyls, Mr. fox, Bambi, and Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter Rabbit!!! Harden your heart and be like Mr. Macgregor, if you want to have anything left after that lot have had their fill!! Treat them like vermin, because that is what they are.
The smaller birds, such as Tits, can cause a lot of damage to the buds of gooseberries and Black currants. While you can wind black thread though the branches to deter them, it then gets in your way when you are trying to pick the fruit. A
These do well in all areas of Britain. For a longer cropping season, grow suitable varieties to achieve this, e.g., Autumn raspberries, perpetual strawberries, as well as the usual Summer varieties.
Do try black currants, red currants, white currants, gooseberries (all good for jams, jelly, ice cream, liqueur). Jostaberries (currant / gooseberry cross) are better than
the Worsterberry. Try Blueberries and Cranberries, if you already have, or can provide an acid soil in a container.
RECOMMENDED GROWING CONDITIONS.
Most fruit prefers a sunny aspect for at least for part of the day. If growing on a wall, it is better to grow them against a West-
Dig over the bed where the fruit is going to grow, incorporating humus and a sprinkling of a slow release fertilizer such as bone meal. Soak the root balls of both bare-
PESTS.
Forget all that sentimental nonsense about Squirrel Nutkins, Cooing Doves and other Pterodactyls, Mr. fox, Bambi, and Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter Rabbit!!! Harden your heart and be like Mr. Macgregor, if you want to have anything left after that lot have had their fill!! Treat them like vermin, because that is what they are.
The smaller birds, such as Tits, can cause a lot of damage to the buds of gooseberries and Black currants. While you can wind black thread though the branches to deter them, it then gets in your way when you are trying to pick the fruit. A
