[Haz]

I read somewhere that the fruit trees from Aldi and Lidle are exceptional value for money and quality.  I will grab some from both.

[out4nowt]

Got 4 packs this morning

[Faz]

I'm planning on popping in on the (sort of) way home from work.

Do they look healthy out4nowt? And did they have the full range available?

[out4nowt]

  I wouldn't know a healthy fruit plant if I saw one. They just look like twigs in compost to me. They had quite a good selection and I got what I wanted, raspberry (3 canes in each pack and I bought 4 packs so I got 12), gooseberry and black currant.

[Sideways]

This appears to be a very good deal, I hope to pick some up tomorrow if there are any left.

[Haz]

I got two packs myself.  One contains raspberry glen clova, blackcurrant ben lomond, tayberry and the other contains gooseberry careless, redcurrant jonkheer van tets and blackberry ( this is what it says on the packet).  The big Question now is what to do with them?  Do I plant them out directly now in this cold weather (I am in London,\near Heathrow)? or keep them in packet till the cold spell passes?

[madcat]

When I bought some earlier in the season, the compost was very dry.  I unpacked them and stuffed them in bucket of water to soak while they waited for the weekend and time to plant out.  They were fine.  I suspect you would want to put the bucket somewhere where the water wont freeze - which might be tricky at the moment! 

[sunshineband]

Struggled through the snow and ice -- and they didn't have any!! Gutted.    And the rhubabr in Focus was the size of a match box, so feeling well fed up there. Gave up and didn't bother with Lidl and the fruit trees.... couldn't take another diappointment today. Weather is just foul, and worse to come tomorrow . 

[lightyears]

damn  im not going near aldi until 2moro, although my car boot is already full of rasberrys i got from the bargain tray at homebase. more needed! :blink:

[BILL251]

    HI Thanks  for the link   to Aldi,s     will be going in to  day   .. A other  great  shop  for seeds   flowers  and  veg  is   the  The pound  shop. I  grow  some  of the  flowers  last  year  and they were   ok        going  to    try  the  veg  this year   

[Sideways]

Just got back, I picked up two packs of mixed Blackcurrant, Gooseberry & Raspberry.

They all look very healthy with new shoots eager to get going. I shall harden them off for a few days until the snow clears then plant them out.

[Allotment Jon]

Go past 2 aldi on my way home so will call in as just started brewing my own wine. Only problem I have is my plot is next to a school so most of the fruits will vanish if you have to plant next to a fence. I presume you can plant away from a fence as long as support and bird proof netting are provided.

[Haz]

How do you harden them off, sideways and for how long? and when do you plant them out? regards

[Sideways]

How do you harden them off, sideways and for how long? and when do you plant them out? regards

I'm not entirely sure.

I will leave mine in the utility room (no heating) for a few days, possibly a week. They have been sitting in a warm shop so I guess if I stick them straight in the ground they wont be too happy. I was thinking of putting them into pots with a little compost after soaking them, and then plant them when the ground softens and the snow has cleared up.

Hope that helps.

[ianjmatt]

I have a question. I just opened these up and suddenly had an anxiety attack. How the heck do I tell the tayberry & blackcurrant (and Red gooseberry and redcurrant in one pack) from the raspberry canes?

I have them in some of last years planters with some compost for now.