hi got my allotment late spring last year.what do i do with the redcurrants on the plot - not very productive last year and the same with the cherry tree.am up in west scotland so is it too cold and wet for them?ty
fiona
Hello there fiona, found this site today and think it's a fantastic way to help yourself and fellow growers. I have been growing fruit and veg now for about a year so I am definately not an expert but I am lucky enough to have had parents and grandparents who are very keen gardeners whether it be prize winning flowers or simple vegetables for home.
You say that you live on the west side of Scotland which from what I have visited has quite a good climate due to the gulf stream so that shouldn't be a problem. Last year was rather bad for most blossum fruits such as Plums, cherries, gages etc as we had a late cold snap and then a lot of wind which destroyed the blossum before they were pollinated hence no fruit. My mum is lucky enough to have a large garden with about ten various fruit trees and all she got was about 5 plums and a single cherry, strangely the apple tree did well though, on saying that it's much older and better established. As for your redcurrants, in late winter cut out the shoots that cross the plants center(same as with gooseberries) or if the plant is quite old I have been told that the fruiting branches may be cut back by about half to encourage new growth next season.
Hope this helps.
P.s. My Nan used to grow flowers amongst her trees to attract more bees to help pollunation and i've seen some people do it manually with a very soft brissled brush(That seems a bit too much work for me though)
Cherries and climate
Flat Cap Mad Posted at 19:45 on Tue, 02/03/2009Hello there fiona, found this site today and think it's a fantastic way to help yourself and fellow growers. I have been growing fruit and veg now for about a year so I am definately not an expert but I am lucky enough to have had parents and grandparents who are very keen gardeners whether it be prize winning flowers or simple vegetables for home.
You say that you live on the west side of Scotland which from what I have visited has quite a good climate due to the gulf stream so that shouldn't be a problem. Last year was rather bad for most blossum fruits such as Plums, cherries, gages etc as we had a late cold snap and then a lot of wind which destroyed the blossum before they were pollinated hence no fruit. My mum is lucky enough to have a large garden with about ten various fruit trees and all she got was about 5 plums and a single cherry, strangely the apple tree did well though, on saying that it's much older and better established. As for your redcurrants, in late winter cut out the shoots that cross the plants center(same as with gooseberries) or if the plant is quite old I have been told that the fruiting branches may be cut back by about half to encourage new growth next season.
Hope this helps.
P.s. My Nan used to grow flowers amongst her trees to attract more bees to help pollunation and i've seen some people do it manually with a very soft brissled brush(That seems a bit too much work for me though)