NOT only is it planting time for apples and pears, but it’s also pruning time.

Books have been written about pruning these sort of fruit trees, making it sound so incredibly complicated.

So I have tried to simplify the process, combined with some suggestions from the Royal Horticultural Society.

• Firstly, remove crossing-over branches that can be exposed to bark damage as they rub against each other.
• Next, remove all diseased, damaged or dead wood.
• Then shorten the previous year’s growth on main branches by about a third. Leave all laterals (side shoots) unpruned because they develop fruit buds in their second year. Once again thin out any crossing-over branches.
• It is a good idea with older trees to cut back some of the older, fruited branches to a new young shoot closer to the trunk.

SOME old, possibly neglected trees may require more drastic treatment and long-neglected apple and pear trees may require the expertise of an arborist.

The main aim is to open the tree into a goblet shape to allow plenty of sun into its centre.

More professional advice can be gleaned from the Horticultural Society of Canberra’s fruit tree and rose-pruning session at its trial garden in Bruce on Saturday, July 30. Additional rose pruning demonstrations will be held on the southside in Hughes on July 31.

THERE’S still time to plant winter-flowering annuals such as the three “P’s”, polyanthus, primula and pansies. Keep an eye out for new-release pansies at local garden centres that include the spreading Cool Wave Pansy “Lemon Surprise”, which is perfect for hanging gardens. Equally lovely is Coolwave Pansy “Blue Skies”.

Like annuals, they will normally be in full flower about six to eight weeks after planting, provided they have been fed regularly, preferably with a liquid-plant food.

I AM often asked at this time of the year if spring is arriving early. This is usually prompted by sightings of Prunus mume, the flowering apricot in flower at this time. Sorry to say that this is the normal time for this tree to flower.

Jottings…

• Now’s a good time to treat lawn mowers to an oil change, new blades and a touch up of rusting paintwork.
• Clean and sharpen secateurs in readiness for rose pruning.
• For winter into spring colour plant delphiniums and dianthus.
• Tree-growing expert John Bowie’s subject will be propagation, including grafting, at the next garden talk at The Garden Nursery, Macgregor, 10.30am on Tuesday, July 5. Don Franklin will talk about fruit tree pruning on July 12. All free talks are indoors and should be booked at 6254 6726.