Page 26 - ALG Issue 2 2021

fruit
Summer Fruit Maintenance
Many people think of winter as the main season for fruit maintenance, but summer can be one of the busiest seasons, with plants in active growth either fruiting or developing fruits for later in the season. It is prudent not to neglect soft fruit and top fruit, as these are perennial plants that we expect
to get many years’ worth of cropping from, rewarding us with fresh and full of flavour harvests. Here are some seasonal tasks that can be applied to all fruits at this time of year.
WATERING
Newly planted fruit must not be allowed to go short of water during their first season or two. It is essential that
they can establish well and without
any checks to growth. However, in
dry seasons, even mature fruit trees may require some attention. Try to avoid long bouts of very dry followed
by large amounts of water, as this can lead to fruits splitting. It is better to
try and maintain a good soil moisture throughout the season where possible but remember that a good thorough soaking is better than several light sprinklings, which in warm weather are unlikely to penetrate far.
MULCHING
Mulching can really help to conserve soil moisture and help to prevent periods of dryness at the roots. Most good organic materials make efficient mulches, whether home-made garden compost, leaf-mould, well-rotted manure, straw, or even shredded and soaked cardboard and newspaper
can help. It is important to ensure that the soil is damp before applying a mulch, as this will help to lock in the moisture that is already present. Aim to get the mulch nice and thick,
at least a couple of inches
(about 50mm) deep but
avoid mulching close
around the trunks of
fruit trees, as this can
cause suffocation – leave
a narrow ring clear of
the main trunk. Mulching
can also really help to
suppress weeds, reducing
the competition for the plants
and cutting down on the maintenance work – always a bonus!
FEEDING
Some people believe in feeding, some do not. But if you do, home-made comfrey or nettle fertiliser is good, or any bought product that is reasonably high in potassium (‘potash’) as this helps with the development in fruit
and flowers. I always feel that dry, powdered or granulated fertilisers
are best applied at the start of the year, when the weather is normally a little wetter, whereas in the summer
I prefer to use liquid feeds. As always, if using bought fertilisers, follow the instructions on the bottle or packet and do not over apply!
TYING IN
Any plants that require tying in, such as trained fruit trees or trained cane fruits should be tied in regularly to prevent damage to young growth in wind or summer rains. Also, it is worthwhile checking over any previously made ties, to ensure that that developing stems haven’t swollen and made the tie too tight. I prefer to use either raffia or jute string, as both are natural and biodegradable, but this does
mean that over a full season
then
can rot
Always keep a close watch for early signs of pests or diseases, as, when things can be caught early,
it will always be much easier to deal with
and will require annual replacement. This also means that ties are regularly re-done, cutting down the risk of constricting developing stems and branches.
WEEDING
If mulching isn’t your thing, then it
is always prudent to keep on top of weeding to reduce the competition for nutrients, light and moisture. Annual weeds are easily dealt with a hoe on a dry, sunny day, and, if they aren’t ready for seeding down, there is no need to remove them. Simply hoe off and leave to wilt in the sun and die off, returning any nutrients to the soil. Try and avoid planting any fruit into soil that is known to be bad for perennial weeds, it will only cause more work later. Attempt
to remove as much perennial weed material as possible before planting.
PESTS AND DISEASES
Always keep a close watch for early signs of pests or diseases, as, when things can be caught early, it will always be much easier to deal with. There are now many good organic controls for most common pests, but remember, if you rely on beneficial insects, you will always have a small population of pests remaining. This is something I have come to accept, and am quite happy with, as long as they are kept in their minority, as it feels much more natural to be working with nature rather than just wanting to obliterate everything.
HARVESTING
Whilst this may sound a very obvious suggestion, harvesting fruits as they are ready not only means that you get them at their peak of perfection, but allowing fruits to stay on the plant, after they have passed their best, gives often gives rise to fungal problems, especially in soft fruit. So, if you have not visited your plot for a week or so, and you do find that on going through your plants that some fruits have gone past their best or possibly have been damaged by pests, remove them and add them to the compost.
Whilst all of the above should give you plenty to keep you busy, hopefully you will all be rewarded with bountiful harvests of wonderful fruit for many years to come!
26 Allotment and Leisure Gardener