Digging over garden soil and preparing it for sowing or planting is vital for good plants.
It’s about more than just breaking up the soil – it allows you to improve the structure and drainage, as well as removing weeds and stones.
Plus, it gives you a chance to add organic matter to enhance the soil’s condition.
Prepare your soil properly and your plants will thrive. You can’t get good greenery without getting the brown right first!
Download my free guide to preparing your soil, including digging tips, advice on adding soil improvers and instructions on warming the soil for early spring planting.
[/fusion_text][fusion_text][fusion_dropcap]Q[/fusion_dropcap]I have an Acer in the garden that has been quite happy until the last 12-18 months. Do they need trimming or pruning? It seems to be sparse in places and spindly in others. It has not had a lot of leaves this year. Any advice would be great!
Shona
[/fusion_text][fusion_text][fusion_dropcap]A[/fusion_dropcap]Acers will respond very well to pruning. It is best to prune whilst the tree is dormant, so December to February would be an ideal time of year.
Make sure to prune back to a bud – this means cutting just above the bud. If you leave any excess wood above the bud, the dieback could become diseased.
Simply prune the acer tree to the shape that you want it to be. As always with pruning trees, take out any dead, damaged or diseased wood, and any branches that cross over or are growing in the wrong direction.
If you have a smaller Japanese acer, sometimes the branches can get congested towards the centre of the tree. If so, you may also want to open it up to allow light and air movement through the tree. To do this, cut back a few of the older branches right back to the main trunk.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container admin_label=”” type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”center” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”0″ padding_right=”80″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”80″ link_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”#d3d1d1″ top_margin=”20px” bottom_margin=”20px” border_size=”2″ icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
Spring is here, see my post on spring pollinators:
Roses are one of the most popular plants in the world. They symbolise love and romance, and they offer beautiful blooms, attractive foliage and a floral fragrance. Plus they are perfect for cutting and make great vase displays.
There are so many different types of rose – there is one for every garden and position. Shrub and bush roses are all ideal for beds and borders. Climbers and ramblers bring colour to walls and fences, while patio and standard roses are perfect for containers.
Bush roses are the most common varieties. There are two types: hybrid teas and floribundas. Hybrid teas are classic roses, while floribunda means ‘many-flowering’ and they have smaller but more plentiful flowers.
Container or bare root
You can buy rose plants in two forms. Container roses have been grown in a pot, while bare root varieties are grown in the ground and dug up. Their roots are then wrapped up before being sold.
Bare root roses are often cheaper to buy because they are easier to produce.
When and where to plant a rose bush
Never plant roses where you have grown them before. They are susceptible to diseases and planting a new one in the same soil may put it at risk.
Plus, roses are hungry plants and they drain nutrients from the soil. Dig in plenty of organic matter before you start.
Plant new roses in winter ready to get growing in spring. Make sure you choose a day when the ground is not frozen solid.
Most roses need a sheltered spot in full sun, but there are a few varieties for shade too. If you’re planting multiple roses, plant diagonally rather than in straight lines, and leave at least 45cm between each bush.
Dig a hole that is wider and deeper than the root ball. Fork over the bottom to loosen the soil and make it easier for the roots to grow. You can boost potassium levels, which are important for roses, by adding some chopped banana peel.
Place the rose in the hole and make sure it isn’t too deep. You’ll see a mark on the stem where the soil was previously – this must be level with the surrounding soil in the ground. You can lay a bamboo cane across the hole to check.
You should also ensure that the ‘knuckle’ where the rose has been budded is clear of the soil. Fill in the hole, firm in and water well.
Feeding the rose bush
Feeding your new rose bush will help it get established quicker and boost those blooms. You can buy specialist rose feed which is full of their favourite nutrient: potassium.
But I use banana skins. They are free, and they contain plenty of potassium. Chop up banana peel into pieces and lay it on the surface of the soil around the plant. The yellow outer part of the peel should be facing upwards.
If you have some bananas that go black, you can chop up the entire thing and put it on the soil.
