hi, just been granted an allotment and as i am clearing it i found some red berries (covered in bindweed)
any advice on when and how i should prune it ?
Congratulations on the allotment!
Need more info on the berries - what do they look like, what does the plant look like? Do you recognise them?
http://www.duntonfarms.com/images/plants/berries/currant_red.jpg
they look like this. hope that helps.
Redcurrants - lucky you!
It's a little late to summer prune them - should have really been done by mid-July. But if they desperately need doing, take out any dead or diseased branches and any that are crossing and rubbing together. You should be aiming for an open vase shaped bush. You can also take this year's growth back to 5 leaves. The next prune should be in the winter.
But take the bindweed off first ;)
am planning to go and clear the allotment the weekend - although these are really small - only saw them by chance (given all the weed) on our 3rd visit. they currently have some fruit on - we assumed we pick them when they looked a bit "see through" (glazed) - not sure how best to describe this.
thanks for the advice - i will at least know what they look like in winter :-)