Monthly Tips and general advice
Please remember our wild life and put out birdseed, apples, pears or breadcrumbs. For some birds, like our endangered Thrush, Dried Mealworms are especially nutritious.
PRUNING WISTERIA. This is the month to to tidy the growth and to encourage second shoots.
The first cut should be made approx six leaf joints away from where the young shoot emerged from the support branch, but this need not be exact. Almost immediately, fresh growths will appear from the shortened stub, and these will need cutting back to within one or two leaf joints on a regular basis
Sometimes the plant will produce a second show of flowers, and although these are not as good as the main flush, they add to the enjoyment of the garden. Leave them until flowering is over, then continue the routine of cutting back the green shoots.
OLEA EUROPEA - OLIVE - The Tree of Peace
Plant description; An undemanding and easy to care for tree, it rewards you with elegance, from its small, narrow, grey leaves, tiny fragrant creamy white flowers in May / June and small green fruit which ripen in late autumn.
Conditions; Can tolerate a minimum of 0 degrees C and enjoys a position in full sun.
Water; Water plentifully when in full growth and gradually reduce the water as light levels and temperatures fall.
Water whenever the surface of the compost begins to dry out, this maybe ever day in sunny weather, or not for several days in cloudy winter weather. Give enough water to reach bottom of pot, preferably washing a little out through the bottom each time. When plants are resting the period between watering should be extended.
Feeding; Plants should be fed fortnightly when in full growth with a tomato-type or seaweed based liquid fertiliser.
Additional information; This is a slow–growing, long-lived plant. When repotting, use a very-well drained loam-based mix. Pinch out tips of longest branches when they threaten to become too long (if you want to keep its rounded shape) Prune in late winter, only if necessary.
Not fully hardy.
