[wneva]

Hello all

I've had a go at the apple trees this afternoon - taken off all the little apples, cleared weeds and laid down weed control fabric.  Will prune as advised in December, when tree dormant.

Here's a photo of the trees now - the second one is in the background. 

It's high time I got to grips with this neglected end of the plot - all weedy, with couch, and there's a horrible heap just out of view.  Some nice raspberries though.

Thanks again for your help!

Bye for now - Neville

[Yorkie]

Good start 

[4 Seasons]

You are doing the right thing in keeping the ground below free from weeds, not for the usual stated reason in that it stops nutrients being taken up by the weeds although that is probably a good reason in itself. I keep the ground clear  beneath my trees because as the tree grows and spreads its branches some of the apples will fall early and you will need to collect them. This is far more easily done by sweeping them up with a broom which is not really possible with grass underneath the tree. Bending over picking up scattered apples is not my idea of fun gardening particularly when the lower branches get in the way and you have to start crawling about on dodgy knees.