Fruit bushes

[mummybunny]

Hi,

Should i be protecting my  Raspberrys gooseberry and blackberries in any way? Also read that people are mulching there garlic what does this mean? Should i be doing it dont want to loose them only just stated growing  ::)

Thanks lucy

[mummybunny]

[valmarg]

Your raspberries, gooseberries and blackberries are fully hardy, so need no protection.

With regard to garlic, it needs to be 'frosted' so no need to mulch.  If the frost doesn't get through to the clove you planted you will just get one large clove, as opposed to it splitting into smaller cloves.

valmarg

[Robert_Brenchley]

I always put about three inches of grass cuttings or dead leaves on my garlic. It feeds the soil, keeps the worms happy, and inhibits weeds. It's never stopped the garlic cloving. It doesn't have to freeze for that, normal winter soil temperature is quite enough.

[mummybunny]

Thanks for the info can sleep abit easier now  :P


Lucy

[Deb P]

I always put about three inches of grass cuttings or dead leaves on my garlic. It feeds the soil, keeps the worms happy, and inhibits weeds. It's never stopped the garlic cloving. It doesn't have to freeze for that, normal winter soil temperature is quite enough.

Interesting....will have to try that! ;D

[hopalong]

I always put about three inches of grass cuttings or dead leaves on my garlic. It feeds the soil, keeps the worms happy, and inhibits weeds. It's never stopped the garlic cloving. It doesn't have to freeze for that, normal winter soil temperature is quite enough.

I am doing the same. Garlic needs a few weeks at below 10c, but mulching doesn't prevent that. It blocks direct sunlight from heating the soil surface and stops weed growth. I have read that fresh grass clippings are best so that is what I am using. To summarise what my book says:

This mulch is easy to handle.  It releases nitrogen into the soil as it decays. It can be applied evenly, to give an even temperature. It doesn't blow away like straw. And it allows the soil to begin drying in June or July, which is ideal for garlic which changes from a vigorous leafy plant in early spring to a bulbing plant in late spring. The disintegration of grass coincides almost precisely with the needs of garlic.