For Gardeners
| Please refer to our ABOUT US page for more details about Welsh Fruit Stocks, but here are a few points especially for gardeners. |
| Availability of Plants |
| Planting Guide |
| Planting Distances |
| Cropping Sequences |
| We have been supplying soft fruit plants to gardeners by mail order since 1991 and we have built a strong reputation for top quality plants and service. There are only a few opportunities in the UK to buy from licensed fruit propagators who grow the plants and supply them direct to your door. You receive freshly lifted, top quality, bare-root plants in prime condition. Our customers tell us that the plants establish quickly and thrive in the softer environments of their new homes. The strawberries and raspberries have all been inspected by DEFRA Plant Health Inspectors and are all certified at Elite and 'A' grades respectively. The bush fruit are all grown from our own stocks, which are again all certified under the Plant Health Propagation Scheme. Our lifting season runs from November until March with the strawberry season extended from October until early May. We have been growing organically now for six years and are pleased that we now produce all our strawberry plants organically. We feel that we are in an ideal situation to produce organic plants because of the altitude of the farm, its unique isolation and the long rotations we use with our cattle and sheep enterprises. Please refer to our ORGANIC PAGE for further details of our organic plants. |
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PLEASE NOTEthat we will not be despatching any plants until late October/ November in the case of strawberries, or November/ December for bushes, canes and rhubarb. By ordering earlier than this you will be accepting these delivery dates.- Discounts may be given on larger orders. Please enquire. - All prices quoted are ex nursery and delivery charges must be added if plants are not collected. For more information please read our Ordering Infromation |
Planting Guide
STRAWBERRIES
Dig a hole in the loose tilth into which plenty of compost has been mixed. Place the roots against one side ensuring they are vertical and not curled up. Pull the soil back against the roots and firm in very well with your feet. It is very important that the crown lies at ground level after firming, with no roots exposed, but leaving the crown still clearly visible. Plant 18 inches apart with rows 3 feet apart. If dry, water well until established
RASPBERRIES
Raspberries should not be planted too deeply and need to be firmed in very well. Plant in a well-drained area so that when firmed in, the top of the root is about 2-3 inches below ground level. Water well and continue to do so if very dry in the spring, but do not saturate, they do not like constantly wet feet! Plant 18 inches apart with rows 5- 6 feet apart. Do not use too much wet compost or FYM around the roots. It is better to mulch from above, but try to keep it away from the cane base.
In the first summer (at the end of May or early June) the old canes of all the varieties, should be cut down to about 2 inches above ground level to encourage new canes to emerge.
Autumn Bliss is a primocane and fruits on its first year canes. The canes do not need wire supports and grow well as a bed system. In the winter the fruited canes are simply cut off at about 1 inch above ground level to allow new fruiting canes to emerge in the spring. Plant 24 inches apart.
GOOSEBERRIES, CURRANTS, JOSTABERRIES
Plant 4-5 feet apart into soil that has had some well-rotted compost incorporated. Dig the hole big enough to accept the roots without bunching or curling. Blackcurrants are grown as a stool and should be planted a little deeper than previously planted so that the lowest buds are just below ground level. Cut the shoots down to leave about 2-3 buds above ground level. Gooseberries, red and white currants ideally need a clear leg of 4-6 inches above ground level, so remove any low braches and trim the remaining branches to 3-4 buds, preferably to an outward facing bud. Jostaberries can also be grown on a short leg, or as a stool (see blackcurrants) if planting a one year old bush. They can grow to over 8 feet high so a 6 feet spacing is recommended. All the bushes should be firmed well in and watered. If it is very dry, continue to water until established.
RHUBARB
The sets should be planted into soil which has had plenty of well-rotted organic matter added. Dig a hole large enough to allow the crown to be just visible. Plant 3-4 ft.apart. Do not pull any sticks in the first year.
Cropping SequencesDates are based on an average season in Kent and will vary from year to year and according to site. |
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WELSH FRUIT STOCKS