Second plot taken on and have got some questions please :)

[noviceveggrower]

Hi,

Well after much debating I've taken on a second plot. I was thinking of moving to another plot on the same site but the other side of the site to where I am. But the site chairman said we had put so much work into our first plot it would be a shame to walk away from it and this second plot was available.

The second is only one plot away from my first plot. It has a decent shed and a DIY greenhouse which has a grapevine in it.

This plot has only been left for 12 months but it is still fairly weedy. Nothing above knee high.

It has couple of plum trees, asparagus, artichokes, raspberries, fruit bushes, blackberries and lots of rhubarb.

I have nearly finished covering first plot with weed suppressant so will start on plot two.

I have tried to upload photos but keep getting told that they wont upload properly.

Was just wondering what's the best way to thin out fruit bushes. They haven't been touched for sometime and you can't see the paths or the middle of the area. So am I just best cutting them down, thinning the branches out and removing the dead or old wood?

Thanks

[4Shoes]

Standard practice is to remove dead wood, crossed branches and then to clear out the centre to allow air to circulate. That'll then let you see the wood from the trees.
Then cut back to form shape of bush - back to an outward bud.


Trees on other hand - don't remove more than 20% but same principals


Mr Google for more detail.

[Jay-ell]

For currant bushes anything too thin should come out and 1/3 of the oldest stems.

[Snadger]

'Stocking top' them and see what survives for next year.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Old wood tends to be a darker colour which is a useful guide when thinning out branches.

[Jay-ell]

Of course we should have asked wht fruit it is - if it's raspberries or blackberries it'll be different.