TAKING CARE OF BOX

SPRAY THE RIGHT WAY I KEEP THE BOX AT YEWS FARM HEALTHY BY SPRAYING IT EVERY MONTH WITH A MIX OF 10ML OF NEEM OIL AND 3ML OF CASTILE SOAP (BOTH FROM THESOAPERY.CO.UK)

TO 1 LITRE OF WATER. I FIND IT COATS THE LEAVES SUFFICIENTLY TO HELP PREVENT BOX BLIGHT SPREADING. IN SUMMER, I SPRAY TWO OR THREE TIMES WITH A TEN PER CENT SOLUTION OF LIQUID SEAWEED (100ML OF SEAWEED TO 1 LITRE OF WATER). THIS GIVES THEM A BOOST AND GREENS THEM UP WITHOUT MAKING THEM GET TOO LEGGY.

MIX IT UP CREATE SHAPES THAT HAVE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL PLANES TO THEM. SPIRALS WORK WELL, TOO. THE VARIOUS FACETS CATCH THE LIGHT AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY.

KEEP CLIPPING I CLIP ALL THE BOX BY EYE IN LATE MAY/EARLY JUNE, AND AGAIN IN LATE SEPTEMBER TO MAINTAIN CRISP WINTER OUTLINES. ON THE SPIRALS AND JELLY MOULDS, PUSH A CANE INTO THE CENTRE FIRST TO ACT AS A GUIDE TO WORK AROUND.

FEED BOX ANNUALLY ADD WELL-ROTTED MANURE AND HOMEMADE COMPOST AROUND THE ROOTS. SPACE IT OUT DON’T ALLOW OTHER PLANTS TO COMPETE WITH THE BOX AROUND THEIR ROOTS.

I LIKE TO LEAVE AROUND 30CM BETWEEN THE BOX AND ANY PERENNIALS.