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Pruning. Such a seriously worrying subject, so
it was a startling concept to take in that a] You probably don't need to, and b]
If you do and kill it, look on it as a planting opportunity! Peter Spriggs, a very smart lecturer
with a nice line in ties and jokes, used to work at the University but is now self employed
and a free lance gardener, which obviously gives him greater scope at least for his distinctive
type of humour.
A certain quirky insouciance informs his general gardening tips such as:
- using a tennis racquet to lob resident snails over your
boundary.
- laying copper strips on your soil to create an evening
spectacular of electrocuted slugs.
- confusing carrot fly by erecting 18" high fences
to give them vertigo, and
- sprinkling heavily scented grated soap over special
areas to discourage squirrels from digging up your vegetables.
His pruning tips are simple and memorable. You may need to prune for shape, health, size and
the maximising of fruit production or flowers. The main rule for flowering shrubs is : - If
it blooms before July prune it immediately after, and if it blooms after, leave it until Spring
and frost has gone. This last also applies to evergreens or they might not be! Generally
speaking you should start by removing, dead, dying and diseased branches, then any which cross
and rub. A very vigorous overgrown bush should be tackled over a period of 3 years, 1/3
being removed annually, similarly cornuses which may be given a close hedgehog cut once every
3 years. And finally the rule everyone needs for clematis - The later they flower, the
harder you prune. Brilliant! And with a concise display of suitable sharp equipment,
the gentleman sat down to great applause.
Next meeting Monday 6th April when Mrs Doris Smallwood will talk on Planting
up Containers
Joan Wilkins
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