gardening

[danb]

not sure if that's the right title but couldn't think what to put.
in my grandads back garden theres 3 apple trees, a pear tree and also a rhubarb plant.

last year I was late with the apples and most had been given away so only ended up getting 2 gallon of cider out of them, which was good as it actually got me into brewing.

now the trees etc have never been taken care of really and just left there to do there thing. what should I be doing to the apple trees , pear tree and rhubarb plant year round to get the best I can out of them? thanks

 

[Fireball13801]

Sounds like the apple & pear will both need a good prune to keep them healthy & producing plenty of fruit. I find The Fruit Expert by D.G. Hessayon quite handy, but I guess u should find what u need online. For the rhubarb, just give it a good manure (straight on top should be fine) each autumn, and stop picking after mid summers night to give it time to recover for the next year.

Hope this helps, and the brews turn out well!

 

[danb]

thanks will keep looking online how to prune the apple and pear trees. the rhubarb plant has at the minute 3 good size thick stalks and around 7 smaller thinner ones. I have read that when picking to only took so much at a time then wait a week or so before taking a bit more. I think I when I start picking ill store in the freezer until there enough for making some wine.
and for the apple and pear trees I think Ill have to wait and see what comes off them this year then start pruning after in the winter.

 

[Tim_Crowhurst]

For the trees, only remove branches if you absolutely have to, e.g. because they are damaged, diseased or dead, because they put the tree at risk in high winds, or because a branch is in an inconvenient position. If the trees had been trained and pruned regularly in the past it would make sense to do so now, however trees that have rarely been pruned will often give heavier crops if left alone.

One of the best companion plants for fruit trees is parsnip as the seed-heads attract predatory insects who'll get rid of insect pests.

For the rhubarb, mulch generously with well-rotted manure &/or compost in February/March. Also, check how many growing-points there are, from which the leaves grow, at the end of the summer. If there are four or more, dig up and split the plant in half after the first heavy frost in the autumn/winter, and replant with well-rotted manure &/or compost.

 

[RobWalker]

you wouldn't believe how many people will donate apples if you offer to clean up the rotten ones on the floor too.

 

[danb]

I am planning on getting the adverts up at the right time on freecycle this year as I was too late last year and going to build a new press and big motorised scratter ready.

 

[danb]

For the rhubarb, mulch generously with well-rotted manure &/or compost in February/March. Also, check how many growing-points there are, from which the leaves grow, at the end of the summer. If there are four or more, dig up and split the plant in half after the first heavy frost in the autumn/winter, and replant with well-rotted manure &/or compost.

are the growing points the bottom thick bits where the 3 or so stalks grow from? thanks

 

[Tim_Crowhurst]

For the rhubarb, mulch generously with well-rotted manure &/or compost in February/March. Also, check how many growing-points there are, from which the leaves grow, at the end of the summer. If there are four or more, dig up and split the plant in half after the first heavy frost in the autumn/winter, and replant with well-rotted manure &/or compost.

are the growing points the bottom thick bits where the 3 or so stalks grow from? thanks

Yes, right at ground level. At this time of year you'll usually see a baby leaf in the middle, with the larger ones around it.

 

[danb]

when I go over tomorrow ill take some pictures of the rhubarb plant and also the trees it might be easier to give me advice after seeing them. thanks

 

[danb]

got a couple of pics today to hopefully get an idea on how bad they need pruning etc, forgot the pear tree though so will get that tomorrow.
1st apple tree



2nd apple tree


3rd apple tree


rhubarb




thanks

 

[narmour]

and stop picking after mid summers night to give it time to recover for the next year.

This is a myth, we've had rhubarb ever since I was a kid and we've always had it right through the summer into September, and every year it comes back as strong as before. As has everyone else at my allotment. If we had stopped picking after mid summers last year we would have wasted most of the potential crop of the plants. Our mild autumns are more than enough time to recover.

This myth is another one of those old wive's tales that gets passed from generation to generation without anyone actually thinking to challenge and test it. Perhaps it was true when we had warm springs and hot summers when the plant would have been under considerable drought stress but during our wet summers rhubarb plants are perfectly happy to continue cropping through the summer. It's amazing how old inaccurate methods perpetuate without anyone actually thinking them through!!

The best thing you can do for rhubarb is manure, and heaps of water all year round. It is a bog plant so requires very damp soil. Over the years once the yield starts dropping, dig the crowns up in the autumn and split them in two. Replant, and the next spring it will be back to it's usual vigour.

 

[falafael]

Hi danb, now is not the time to do any pruning, when the tree is dormant is the time to do it, i have mine to do after this year!

I can pop down and prune for you when i do mine if you so wish matey, upto you!
Give you a few pointers too!
Thanks
Not forgot bout the pump, not had mine yet!!
LOL

 

[Tim_Crowhurst]

I'd been assuming they were much larger trees than that - oops!

Given how small they are, it would make sense to prune them to keep them a convenient size & shape - i.e. so they're easier to pick apples from. Like Falafel said, you need to wait until they're dormant (December-February) before you prune. Assuming the pear tree is about the same size, you can treat it in exactly the same way.

The rhubarb should definitely be divided this autumn.

 

[danb]

thanks for the offer glenn that would be great. I had forgot about the pump lol. hows the shed coming along? we have just dug the base out for a new one coming in the next week or so and dug a trench across to the other shed for a water supply ready to be the new brewhouse. well the missus and lad dug I assisted lol.

 

[falafael]

Hi mate, all things going well, not done anything on the shed for 2 weeks now, until today, where i have been out all day!
Good on you getting a shed, why dont u start a thread in the snug like i have, be good to see your progress too!!
Cheers!
Fal!

 

[danb]

will pop some pictures up then mate, unfortunately with me shoulder being bad I couldn't build mine like I wanted so ive been and paid the deposit today and getting it built to order will be here end of next week. at least the quality isn't too bad as got one off them last year too. ill be using the original 10 x 8 for brewing and the new 1 for all the bikes and compressor etc.
ive got the 3 tier stand built up ready to be fitted in the old shed and got all the wiring and sockets ready for the brew stand side and already acquired one fridge from freecycle for fermenting, just waiting for a few more to come up.