This morning Angela, our Master Gardener in training and chief composter, tidied up the Berry Patch. This involved cutting out all dead wood (last year’s canes), correcting some pruning mistakes, spreading compost over most of the patch and she also removed a few weeds, but there is more to do here!

“I saw two lady beetles this morning and they will be looking for food. They are very fond of aphids so look out for these if your in the garden"

The black compost bin to the right of the main bins has now been emptied of compost and contains some surplus leaves for future use. If anyone has time to chop up compost materials, there is a growing pile in the open bay! When we are next in the garden, we will rotate the contents of the bins and a volunteer would be welcome.

Bed 14 has now been cleared and reformed and is ready for planting. Beds 1, 2 and 3 have had some work done on them and are nearly ready for planting.

The berry bushes

When cutting back the bushes, it is important not to leave a long stub above the bud, as this will just rot away and in any case, looks unsightly.

For the Tayberries, Loganberries and Blackberries, all the canes that bore fruit last year needed to be cut back to ground level; these are usually easy to spot as they have turned brown, versus the new canes that are red or green, depending on the variety. The new canes should then be tied to the frame for this years’ fruit. This would normally have been done in the Fall.

Sanitizing supplies in the Shed and cleaned tools

Please use these if you use tools from the Shed. If you want to take small tools home, please make a note on the Attendance Sheet so we know where they are.

Also please make a note on the sheet what you have done whilst at the Garden.