In the seed bed prepared last month, I will be sowing Winter Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Summer Cabbage and Spinach Beet. Perpetual Spinach. Also Carrot, Leeks and Parsnips. The seed will sown approx. Half inch deep in rows approx. twelve inches apart.
Another row of Broad Beans , will be sown towards the end of this month. See February 005 for method followed.
Also a row of Peas, need not be Feltham First. See February 005 for method followed.
I sow Broad Beans and Peas in short rows. At intervals of about three weeks, aiming to provide fresh vegetables through out the season.
A bed for Runner Beans will be prepared 12 inches deep by 18 inches wide. In the bottom, I will fork in 4 or 5 inches of manure or compost, or both, as the trench is filled in. I will start sowing Beans, end of May, early June. Making further sowings approx. three weekly intervals, aiming to provide a continuous crop, with any luck, into October. I will mention method followed next month.
The cabbage seed sown in the Grow House, did not do at all well. A friend gave me enough to cover my needs. See April 004 for method followed when preparing the bed, and planting out. One can leave more space between plants. I plant close, as I am short of space.
The asparagus will receive attention this month. See April 004.
The Roses were pruned back last October, to prevent wind rock.
This month, I will prune to promote flowering. See April 004, for method followed.
After pruning, a layer of manure will be applied approx. 4 inches deep. Not allowing the manure to come into contact with the bush.
Climbing Roses, I prune lateral growth, that carried the flowers last year, back to two or three buds from the main stem. New stems if there are any, I tie on to the frame work to replace exhausted, week and none productive growth. Notice a thorn in the photo below, above which, a bud can be seen. I will prune off the growth just above the bud.
If Rambler Roses were not attended to when they finished flowering, one can prune them this month. See September 004, for method followed.
This month I lift and divide herbaceous plants. To divide the plant, I use a sharp spade. Making sure that each piece of the divided plant, has some new root growth.
One can plant Snow Drops, in the green. That is with green leaves still sill on bulbs. They prefer good soil. I plant 2 inches deep, an inch or so apart.
I will prune shrubs, cutting out dead wood, diseased, weak and old non - productive wood.
Laurel. I prune out dead wood and week shoots.
If the lavender is leggy or getting out of control, I cut out dead and none productive wood, back to a bud from which I expect new growth. Trying to maintain the shape of the hedge or bush.
Apple pruning. One will notice from the photo above. The lateral growth growths mentioned January 005.The lateral growth, will probably have spurs. On these spurs, I would expect to find buds.
The most prominent and plump of these buds, is likely to be a fruit bud. I will cut away all wood above.
The above photo shows lateral before pruning. The photo below, shows lateral after pruning.
The methods followed, are only a rule of thumb, that I use.
Pruning is a vast subject. If buds on fruit trees have not broken, and are still fluffy, I will spray with Derris
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cheque or postal order made for £5.50 made out to A. Corbin to –
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Lymington, Hampshire SO41 5QG
United Kingdom
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