Tasks done now will help with spring growth
Aphilosophical outlook on life would have it that “failing to prepare is preparing to fail” and this certainly applies to gardening in midwinter. So, we can be found outdoors in the absence of precipitation, complete with snood, wool hat, gloves, and thermals. Key tasks completed now will free up precious time when spring bursts into growth.
It’s amazing what can be achieved in a one-hour session, by two enthusiastic gardeners with a planned agenda. And if the going gets tough the relative warmth of a greenhouse is never too far away. Last week, the lady of the house continued with the winter pruning of ornamental shrubs whilst I started on the apples and grape vines.
Weigela, escallonia and Spiraea billiardii (pink spikes of bloom), put on lots of growth annually, and this is the ideal time to prune and propagate using the removed stems as hardwood cuttings. Our hardy fuchsias are also vigorous, so they’re pruned almost to ground level.
There are still some roses to
prune. They include a climbing New Dawn, two shrubby Cecile Brunner and a sweetbriar, but this is one job not to be rushed because they each possess rather sharp thorns. Hydrangea pruning is left until the sun radiates more warmth because last year’s remaining growth and blooms afford a degree of frost protection for the embryo flower buds.
It also pays to leave sub-shrubby plants such as lavender until spring
growth emerges and indicates how far we can cut back.
Our apples are trained to produce fruit on spurs. These are reduced side shoots that emerge from leading branches. Pruning comes in two stages. The first in midsummer when lateral growths that would otherwise continue at the expense of developing fruits, are shortened to 15cm. In winter, these are reduced again to a small group of plump fruit buds.
Respite from the cold can be found in the greenhouse where various items need attention. The washing down, disinfecting and cleaning of benches, glass, pots and trays sets us up for the year ahead, but first the vines need pruning.
All lateral stems emanating from the main rods are reduced to mere stubs with one or two buds. For a few weeks, our vines resemble the human equivalent of the shortest haircut imaginable!