Pears are also great for espaliering ...
You don’t need to have a large garden to be able to grow a pear tree. Super Dwarf varieties such a Fleming’s Nurseries Trixie Pyvert only grow to around 1.5 metres tall so are perfect for both small gardens and growing in pots.
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Pears are also great for espaliering, where the trees are trained to grow flat against a wall or trellis so take up very little space.
When you purchase your pear tree, check the pollinator requirements, as some need to be planted near a suitable mate to be able to set fruit.
Pears are most commonly planted during winter as bare-rooted trees however, they are also be available as potted trees great for planting during autumn. Local nurseries will have varieties suitable for your area.
Herb happenings
Coriander is a cool season herb with flat, broad leaves that resemble those of its cousin, parsley, but it has a far more pungent flavour likened to a mixture of sage and lemon.
Coriander seed can be sown this month direct into a pot or the garden as seedlings don’t transplant well.
It does best in partly-shaded areas which gets the morning sun. Keep the soil moist and harvest the leaves regularly to encourage fresh new foliage.
During the Middle Ages coriander seeds were highly sought-after as they were considered a love potion.
Coriander leaves go particularly well with Asian cuisine. The seeds are used to flavour chocolate, pastries, biscuits, cakes and dried fruit as well as meat dishes of chicken, pork and game.
Harvest time
March is usually a busy month for harvesting fruit which should be picked as it ripens (there are some exceptions), and not left on the trees as the unnecessary weight may break or damage branches, particularly after rain when the weight factor is compounded.
Its also important to remove diseased fruit to limit the spread of disease.
Going global
Globe artichokes are grown for their immature flower buds which should be picked while they are tight but still unopened.
Those lucky enough to have these growing in the garden will be picking them about now.
Cut back established plants in late autumn, to four or five strongest shoots, to produce buds the following spring.
Artichokes are frost-tender and do best in well drained soil, rich in humus in a sunny position. Apply organic manure annually and during spring. Keep the water up to them.
Plants will bear well for three to four years.