Page 8 - Oundle Life February 2023

as possible in preparation for drier
periods in the future. Cutting down all
canes that fruited the previous year as
early as January and then weeding and
giving a general-purpose fertiliser and
mulch, can condition the soil to provide
plenty of nutrients and avoid excessive watering.
Apple trees need plenty of water during the last two months before harvest (July & August). Drought like plotholders experienced during those months in 2022 can reduce the quality and size of fruit. One way to counteract a lack of water is heavily thinning the fruit in the lead up to harvest. This reduces watering needs and produces larger apples.
Seeds of many fruit and vegetable plants have been selected to begin growth immediately
when supplied with water which makes the wetter months a great time to
sow hardier plants. Germinating and successfully producing seedlings can be achieved by watering the drill before planting, so that the seeds are placed in
a moist environment rather than watering from above.
Regular mulching and adding good, rotted compost are great general practices to follow when preparing fruit plants and trees for the warmer, drier months.
Article kindly supplied by The National Allotment Society. Find out more at: www.nsalg.org.uk
Apple trees need plenty of water during the last two months before harvest
8