Fruit

Strawberries may still be layered, choosing the first new plant on each runner and cutting off the rest. Placing compost around the runners will help roots develop quickly. Transfer new plants to their permanent places in about three weeks. Dig out and dispose of all strawberry plants that have borne fruit for two or more years. Because they can carry disease and take a long time to decay, do not put strawberry plants in the compost bin. For younger strawberry plants, trim off old leaves, clear away weeds and give them a mulch of garden compost mixed with blood and bone and superphosphate. That prepares them for another active growth period in autumn. Cut out old raspberry stems (canes) that have fruited. Stake or wire young canes, removing any weak, spindly or misshapen ones. Six to nine canes a plant is a reasonable number to supply next summer’s crop. A mulch of straw, grass clippings or compost helps retain soil moisture and provides humus. Apply on ground already well saturated by rain or artificial watering. Because they fruit next year on growth made this season, blackcurrants can have all old wood removed once fruiting has finished. Prunings can be used to propagate new plants. As an alternative to growing in garden beds, currants (black, red and white) can be grown on a fence or trellis. They make useful shelter hedges. Tomatoes grown in a glasshouse or tunnelhouse should have any yellow or dead leaves removed. Pinch out laterals (young shoots at leaf joints) of bush (determinate) types, ensure all tomato plants have plenty of ventilation and reduce watering as fruits begin to ripen.