Pruning Sloes

[Celtic Eagle]

I've got a nice row of Sloe bushes down one side of the path, they are getting a bit big, anybody know anything about pruning sloes? They have fruited for the first time this year at 3 years old and I want that to continue . Any advice anyone Ta

[8doubles]

Blackthorn is a very tough plant so you are unlikely to upset it, if you see what a tractor flail does to farm hedges you would not expect them to survive but they do.

Thick gloves are a must as blackthorn often has a covering of green slime that can cause nasty infections.

[Bigfatsi]

Sorry if off-topic but how much fruit comes from a few bushes? I'd love to have some sloes or damsones every year for gin-making! 

Simon

[Beetroot queen]

I planted a hedgerow with 40 sloe twigs thinking we would loose most as they looked half dead at planting last year.

39 grew and I dont have the heart to thin them out so its going to be very full bush LOL 

I will trim them slightly into bush form in the autumn, I dont intend on being that gentle. They are on the second year.

Looking forward to sloe jelly in a few years time 

[Dirt Diver]

I planted a hedgerow with 40 sloe twigs thinking we would loose most as they looked half dead at planting last year.

39 grew and I dont have the heart to thin them out so its going to be very full bush LOL 

I will trim them slightly into bush form in the autumn, I dont intend on being that gentle. They are on the second year.

Looking forward to sloe jelly in a few years time 

Beetroot Queen - found this old post which interested me. Have you ever tried Sloe Jelly. If so was it savory or sweet.

Regards

[Beetroot queen]

I planted a hedgerow with 40 sloe twigs thinking we would loose most as they looked half dead at planting last year.

39 grew and I dont have the heart to thin them out so its going to be very full bush LOL 

I will trim them slightly into bush form in the autumn, I dont intend on being that gentle. They are on the second year.

Looking forward to sloe jelly in a few years time 

Beetroot Queen - found this old post which interested me. Have you ever tried Sloe Jelly. If so was it savory or sweet.

Regards

we eat sloe jelly all the time, its a sweet jelly but it needs to go with a savoury dish, really yummy with roast, meat and nut roast, sausages etc

I have about 40lb of sloes in the freezer at the moment and they will all go for sloe jelly 

[solway cropper]

40lb of sloes in the freezer at the moment and they will all go for sloe jelly

Blimey, you must like sloes. I made 2lbs of apple and sloe jam last year and it had an unusually 'dry' texture and flavour. Not unpleasant but I prefer plum or blackcurrant.

[Beetroot queen]

40lb of sloes in the freezer at the moment and they will all go for sloe jelly

Blimey, you must like sloes. I made 2lbs of apple and sloe jam last year and it had an unusually 'dry' texture and flavour. Not unpleasant but I prefer plum or blackcurrant.

I sell some jars so they are not all for us