IN the wild, fruiting trees get by with what they can find. But gardeners train and prune domesticated varieties for top yields, while fruit breeders have boosted crop size, so apples, pears, plums and the like need a little help!

Now is the right time to feed all fruit trees, canes and bushes with potash, as this nutrient boosts flowering and fruiting. Slow-release organic sources like rock potash can be applied now, as can granular manmade formulations such as sulphate of potash. Liquid or water-soluble forms should be applied when the plant is in full growth.

Sandy, free-draining soils need more feeding than heavy clay ones, so adjust your dosage accordingly.