Planting Whitethorn Slips

amacca

I'm going planting whitethorn slips for acres. I know you are supposed to cut them at an angle close enough to the ground and the sharp points of those are ideal for poking up through plastic.

Thing is they have little bits of buds on them. I'm reluctant to cut them on the basis the plant isn't dormant is putting energy into growing. If I cut them will it kill them does anyone know?

Cavanjack

I hope not. I cut a couple of hundred meters back over the wknd and they were all budding.

They’ll be grand.

amacca

Thanks, fair play. Im good with a chainsaw, This is a relatively new departure for me. I dont have a clue tbh!

kevthegaff

Do they need to be fenced from cows?

amacca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121915769#Comment_121915769

Yep....think the distance between the fences need to be 1.5m. Ill have a read before I start in earnest.

funkey_monkey

Do you have to put down plastic or can you use wool? Would there be much difference in cost?

amacca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121919854#Comment_121919854

I cant use wool as i wouldnt even know where to get it never mind the cost...

I have heard it works well though....dunno how lads put it down, just lay out fleeces along the length of the hedgerow

SuperTeeJay

VideoCapture_20240321-215332.jpg

I Used wool.Gathered it in half tonne bags after shearing this year.Only thing that it's good for.Just scattered around the base of the trees.Only had enough to cover bout 700 trees from 70 sheep.800 are left uncovered.

kevthegaff

Would it blow everywhere

SuperTeeJay

It hasn't so far.its too heavy and wet..Its down 6 weeks now hasn't moved.

PoorFarmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121924220#Comment_121924220

Not really. Once you have good big pieces of fleece it will stay on the ground. Have been using it here on the garden for a mulch for the last 3 or 4 years. It will keep down weeds to some degree but the bigger more aggressive weeds like docks and creeping buttercup will always find a way

Sacrolyte

Do you have to put something down for the acres scheme or can you leave it bare and weed it a couple of times.

farawaygrass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121926898#Comment_121926898

afaik you don’t have to put something down but you can’t let the weeds and grass take over it either.

to save yourself hardship in the near future you are better off putting down some sort of weed control

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058342470/planting-whitethorn-slips

See Farmers Journal and article on fireblight disease.... apparently problem is worst with whitethorn imports to meet demand for Acres scheme. Not enough domestic nursery output, which wasn't considered by the powers that be.

amacca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121926998#Comment_121926998

Believe me id rather not put them down at all but thats the agreement

Theyre bought now a good while ago now, im not sure if they are native or not, I must check but ill be fucked if im shelling out for another load of them

Im sure if some lad inspects and i say I was concerned about fireblight id get short change

I wish theyd consider stuff like this when they are setting the rules and regs....especially after the cock up with ash dieback but thats what you are dealing with I suppose

Allowing a farmer to cut slips and let them root and plant over two years would have eased the pressure but everyone wouldnt get their cut then I suppose!.....

As I understand it they were warned the supply wouldnt be there to meet demand by the the growers/garden centres etc

Seems to be a common theme with whatever mandarins and their flunkies set the rules.....practicality/realism isnt to the fore....I suppose telling the truth on the auld the powerpoint during your presentation at the meetings isnt as impressive as unrealistic targets you assure everyone will be no problem under your guidance....the more things change etc.

Ive watched so many yes men all fur coat and no knickers climb around me over the years Im beginning to regret having a word being straight if the other party is!

Cavanjack

Do Whitethorn grow if you cut slips of them? Though they only grew from the haw.

amacca

I may have shot from the hip, I thought you could but not sure, thought I remembered my father doing it years ago but cant remember the level of success if any

In fairness It wasnt just whitethorn you could plant initially and any measure to alleviate demand where there isnt matching supply or give the suppliers a long lead in time to match demand mightve been warranted.

endainoz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121929791#Comment_121929791

Yes they do, I threw a few down as an experiment a couple of years ago and they're growing away grand. Willow would be another one, and I believe hazel though have not tried it yet. The same should apply to strawberries/raspberries is someone wanted to add diversity to the hedge.

https://youtu.be/xaaP7iBk-Aw?si=8MKEBCA5Kk8qAJ5C

Great video above for tips on how to do it

amacca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121929826#Comment_121929826

Id love to stick strawberries and raspberries in!

Presume you are talking the tiny native ones, can they be bought easily?..would they die out of it quick?..Id put a couple of wild cherry in too if they can be easily got

endainoz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121929847#Comment_121929847

Yeah, I've done it with raspberries anyway, was told it can work for strawberries too.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121929397#Comment_121929397

Yeah.. you'd wonder about some of the lads and lassies who plan these schemes. The left hand doesn't seem to know what the right is up to. Are they not capable of figuring out basic things like supply. Propagating your own maybe the best way for most.

Water John

Largely, inspection won't be a visit. It will be you uploading the invoice and the authentation slip from you supplier.