I finally got round to moving some 1.5m tall fruit trees this weekend: the books tell me it is fine to do this now. The swelling buds on the stems told me it was too late to be doing this!
Unfortunately, it could not wait another year. The best advice in these situations is to cut the back the branches of the tree by one-third and to just above an outward facing bud. It is a useful tip when moving any shrub or tree at a less than perfect time of year: by reducing the growth above ground, the root system does not have to work so hard to sustain the plant as it beds into its new location. The more adverse the conditions, the further back the cut should be.
I remember casting a disparaging look over a 2m tall magnolia that had been moved halfway across the south of England, pompously telling the owner that is was bound to die. It didn’t! The owner had been robust with the cutting back and assiduous with the watering. So much for experts.
With the milder than usual weather all about us, there are a number of jobs to be getting on with this month:
• Wisteria can be pruned back to two or three buds and the older, woody growth can be cut to reduce the size of the plant
• In milder areas, or when the warmer weather starts appearing, most hardy shrubs with hollow stems, such as Buddleja davidii and Perovskia can be pruned this month.
• Whilst the tawny coloured stems of ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus and Calamagrostis are a joy to behold in the winter months, especially in the winter sunlight early spring is the time to cut them back to ground level. Wait until new growth can be seen before applying the chop.
• Clean up bamboo where stems have died back or collapsed over winter.
• Trim heathers after they have flowered in order to keep them compact and vigorous.
• Divide snowdrops to distribute them over a wider area.
• Cut back shrub roses by about one third, pruning to just above an outward pointing bud, trying to create an open, “bowl” shape to the rose. Cut off any suckers emerging from the root stock.
• Bird life will be looking to nest in spring so ensure all hedge trimming and renovation is completed by the end of the month.
• Nesting boxes will be sought out by birds but try to either build them or buy them from a sustainable source.
Don’t be afraid to start ringing the changes in your garden in preparation for the coming season. With so little growth above ground at this time of year, it is an ideal window to become a shaker and a mover. Just watch your back: I don’t know many people who are at their fittest and most supple in cold, damp February!