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've no idea what variety the apple tree is. It was in the garden when we arrived at our house, 12 years ago, the legacy of a previous owner, whose only other contributions to horticultural delight were chain-link fences and concrete.I do, however, use

Plant new fruit trees, canes and bushesUse cloches to warm soil for early sowingsPrepare areas for planting asparagusPrune apple and pear trees to remove congested, badly placed, damaged or diseased branchesCover seakale to force new shoots

appear in summer on the upper surface of lime tree leaves. These growths, or galls, may be yellowish green or red. lime treesn/aMore common garden pests affecting fruit treesApple sawflyCurrant blister aphidsPear leaf blister miteAphids

shallow to sustain a tree and it only gets sunshine for two hours a day. But if you have better conditions, now's a great time to plant bare-root apple trees. Many varieties will fruit within a couple of years, won't need much attention (unless you train

Left unchecked, canker can gradually spread to affect whole branches and sections of trees. Severely-infected old trees may be beyond rescue, while young trees are vulnerable to infection, particularly where other susceptible trees are growing

A problem that affects trees or shrubs when they've been planted in soil where a plant of the same species had been growing. It particularly applies to members of the Rosaceae family (roses, apples, cherries, plums). Symptoms include retarded

Hang pheromone traps in fruit trees to control moth pests, such as codling moth larvae, which eat applesThin out congested fruit crops on peaches and nectarines, spacing fruits about 10cm apartWatch out for signs of powdery mildew or disease

clumps of rhubarbTake hardwood cuttings from healthy fruit bushesPrune apple and pear trees to control their size and shapeCut down Jerusalem artichokes

't buy in a million years anyway.But last year my persistence paid off and I came away with a standard apple tree shoved into the car for the bargain price of a fiver! Okay my little 'Fiesta' apple was a bit battered and careworn - not least after

Finish summer pruning trained forms of apple and pear trees Harvest apples, pears, plums and gages as they ripenSave seeds from good varieties of beans, herbs and tomatoes that you've enjoyed this yearPot up herbs to use in winterPrune out fruited