Pruning time if conditions permit

When the weather permits, pruning is on the agenda for outdoors but there is no panic for roses or fruit-bearing subjects.

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Certain roses can be reduced any time between now and late February, even later depending on the weather.

The same applies to apples and pears, also soft fruits such as blackcurrants and redcurrants, gooseberries and autumn raspberries, all of which need attention in this garden.

I prefer the ground to be hardened by frost when winter pruning because it’s sound underfoot and no damage is done to the soil structure.