An early start!

Apples are developing all around us, helped by the useful falls of rain in mid July.  They are colouring too, though this is  deceiving ! Closer inspection reveals some very white pips (but plenty of them , which is good).

The third week of July is just a few days away and we expect to be picking the first Vista Bella and Crimson Beauty of Bath. Both have the common habit of early apples –  falling from the tree on the best day for being eaten –  so we check around alternate days to select the ripest, (from the trees!). They tend to be a little sharp for the author  but the scent of freshly picked early apples will soon be in our shed! Of course they are mean’t to be eaten promptly as keeping does nothing for their quality.

Plums, too, are a week or so early and the small, dark,  Early River’s will be ready along with the early apples.

The fruit may be a week or so early, just now, but by the end of August the effects of the June heat should have waned.

Unlike 1976 the earlier heat has been followed by useful rains and the water level in the  well  remains as in  the previous post.

It is obvious that our quince trees are bare.

Medlars are growing well and will be picked early in November.

Our vegetables are available here once again. Carrots, beetroot, onions, french beans, cucumbers, and soon, tomatoes and runner beans (end of July for both).

Until next post , no heat waves or hail storms required!