Another Mild Winter

Here we are, almost half way through January and as yet no sustained, proper cold weather for maximising fruit bud potential towards a meaningful crop later in 2022. In fact, it hasn’t been necessary to drain off the water supply in the yard, yet. All reminding us of the continuing trend in the turbulent cycle of air temperatures.

Fruit buds which have experienced several weeks of sustained cold prove to be stronger at blossom time and more likely to ‘hold’ set fruit. Healthy buds = healthy flowers = a robust fruit more able to ‘hold’ well after harvest.

For all my years of pruning apples, the emphasis has been on light and air penetration within the tree throughout the season ahead. Now, while pruning I am well aware that the trees are not truly ‘asleep’. I am also remembering where on the trees the few apples of last season were actually picked from – within the centre of the tree approximately mid torso height where there was marginally more protection from mid May frosts which scythed through all the fruit growing either higher or exposed where more air flow was actually a liabilty.

2021 presented us with a few headaches. By far, at the top of the league, unseasonal weather and its effects occupied us the most. We really do have to learn to live with this one. There is no vaccine or legislation to save us – just our instinct.