Ramblers produce great long, vigorous shoots from the base each year. To prevent the whole framework from becoming overcrowded with thick, woody branches, it's a good idea to cut these out, and now is the hour. Don thornproof gear, detach the whole plant from its supports and lower it to the ground, where the shoots can be laid out and dealt with in turn. Remove the oldest shoot at the point where its successor arises, cart it away to one side, then lift and replace each shoot in its new position on the wall, tying in as you go.
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A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawnJames Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
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From Cornish Gilliflower to Rivers Early Peach: An apple a day keeps Britain’s heritage native fruit from dying out81% of traditional apple orchards have vanished from Britain, but ‘heritage’ apples retain a following, says Jack Watkins, who rounds up nine of the most interesting.
