A Dry Spring Ahead?

Observing the Quince buds towards the end of February they certainly burst considerably more slowly than for several recent years.

Down here, in Essex, the Winter seems to have plodded through with lower light levels and cooler days than we have become used to. Perhaps the tally of chilling hours for the fruit buds is nearer to optimum, for once. A good indicator will be the Rhubarb as with insufficient winter chill it’s pulling season is much truncated.

Dry Springs are all very well but as the apple rosette leaves enlarge around the emerging fruit buds, some regular appreciable rainfall is a must to ensure succulent nectar to attract bees by late April – only a month away.

In a few months time, after blossom, I shall be posting the outline of some changes here at Crapes.

Crapes Fruit Farm is one of very few smaller orchards continuing to produce in this area.