Looking ahead to 2018!

Our apple stocks may be virtually emptied now, but our land is filling nicely with water and December 2017 has been associated with a good spell of dormant inducing weather!

Some winter visitor birds are about but, to date, not the flocks of Fieldfares and Starlings seen during  previous cold winters. Recent lying snow reminded us of just how many rabbits have escaped the local foxes. All manner of evidence showed of others who reside at Crapes who we seldom, if ever set eyes upon.

Pruning ahead now, the author’s favourite job – I have been doing it since my early secondary school days! This winter, now the leaves are mostly off the trees some lengthy one year extension wood is to be seen. This reflects the vigorous state that the trees were enjoying during June and July when light , heat and water were abundant. It will be a winter of cautious pruning. With the sun damage to the fruit of this past season to bear in mind , I shall deliberately leave some growths for leaf shading.

Our apples may be almost over, but we have a stock of apple juice made from our own apples here. This can be purchased from the farm, delivered on our Colchester Friday delivery route, or indeed, for those further afield, sent by courier.

The next hurdle to watch  for are the land drains to be running at the end of March – then we know all is on course!