Maintenance, Pruning, Winter

Pruning season

sarahjwrites

 Winter is the best time to prune your deciduous trees, and unsightly shrubs, as this is when the plant is dormant or at its slowest growth point.

Pruning can be a daunting prospect for the inexperienced, but it’s really not that difficult. Even if you make a mistake, your plants will be forgiving.

The first thing that you need to do is ensure that you have clean and sharp tools. You may use a pruning knife (suitable for smaller branches and roses), secateurs (suitable for small branches) and a pruning saw (suitable for larger branches/bigger jobs).  Make sure that you are wearing a long shirt, and a sturdy pair of garden gloves. (I recommend that you wear glasses to protect your eyes).

  1. Remove any dead branches, flowers and leaves.
  2. Remove any canes (branches), which are growing in towards the centre of the plant. (You are aiming for a vase shape – unless you are cutting a topiary).
  3. Cut back the remaining canes (branches) by up to two-thirds.
  4. Cut above a knot in the branch.
  5. Fertilise the plant if it needs it.

Happy Pruning!

Seasonal guide, Winter

Winter is here.

sarahjwrites

Winter is here. Yes, I know, it’s hard to believe that we are almost half way through another year.

So, what do I need to do throughout the colder months to keep the garden in good shape? Here are a few suggestions:

Jobs to do:

*Plant fruit trees, salad vegetables, legumes, berries and root vegetables

*Get that weeding done

*Clean tools

*Clean out potting shed

*Check use by dates on seeds and garden products

*Work on paths, check garden edging

*Outdoor maintenance

*Prune fruit trees

For more information go to the Winter page of this blog and download the Winter Fact Sheet. 

"Countless Cucumbers", "When it all becomes too much", Cook Book

Announcing the release of a new cookbook

sarahjwrites

The authors of the “When it all becomes too much” mini e-book series are proud to announce the release of book eight “Countless Cucumbers”, which is about…you guessed it…cucumbers.

Whether you grow your own or have found yourself the lucky recipient of an abundance of the stuff, this book is designed to help you get the most out of your glut. This easy to use e-book contains some useful rhubarb facts and 20 easy to make recipes.

You can order your copy through Amazon. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the series here.  

"Tonnes of Tomatoes", "Bags of Berries", Book, e-book

Free Tomato Mini Cookbook

sarahjwrites

As an Easter gift for you, you can download a copy of “Tonnes of Tomatoes” from Amazon free from the 2nd to the 4th of April. Get your copy of this fun mini cookbook now: Tonnes of Tomatoes.

Are you the proud owner of a tonne of tomatoes? An oversupply of cherry, Roma, Amish paste perhaps? Do you have tomato plants heavy with fruit?  Do you grow your own, or have you found yourself with an abundance of the product and no idea how to use them? This could be the book for you.

“Tonnes of Tomatoes” is the fifth book in the “When it all becomes too much” mini cook book series by Terri Bateman & Sarah Jackson. This easy to use e-book contains some useful tomato facts and 20 easy to make recipes to help you manage your glut of fruit.