February update

Another month of ‘winter’ behind us and still grass is actively growing , just. We have Dandelions and Daisies quite apart from some lush stinging nettles all warning of a likely very early Spring 2016. Apart from a few frosty mornings there is plenty of evidence of earthworm activity – barely ceased since the end of picking.

Our pruning efforts are mainly with the older, less vigourous, trees as we have a hunch that they will weather the vagueries of the climate best  during the next few months. The apple fruit buds seem more developed than the plum’s, at the moment! Once we see a crop on the younger trees some selective secateur work will be ongoing. A few extra leaves around the blossom during a chilly spell won’t hurt but varieties vulnerable to apple scab will need attention to encourage some air flow, immediately afterwards. Over enthusiastic pruning just now may be to the detriment of fruit se,t frost or not.

The land is neither dry nor waterlogged, an advantage though last February saw the beginning of a long dry spell which hopefully is not about to be repeated.

Just a few last apples left for our local customers, now. Onions and beetroot all but finished too.