May Update

A lot has happened since our last update, the rain we so badly needed came in the second half of april, and in great supply. However, May has turned out to be a disappointing month so far, the continuing wet and cold is having the effect of delaying growth of everything. Ground water reserves within the rooting area of the trees are no longer depleted, but it is too wet to take machinery out on the land. The conditions of long periods of wet on the apple leaves are conducive to the germination of the spores of Apple Scab . This varies with the temperature at the time but there will be scab about which in time will show as sooty specks on the skin of the apple. Usuallly this would be treated for with a short programme of minimal spraying during April to mid June . This year we had planned to leave part of the orchard unsprayed as an experiment, but with the inclement weather and the soggy ground conditions we have decided this year that the whole orchard will be left unsprayed. The end result will be that the liklihood of apples with a few black specks on the skin will be more prevalent, The flavour will be the same!

The lack of sunlight during recent weeks will delay the crops in the greenhouse and outside, Frost is always a concern at this time – while there is cloud at night the concern is less! Our carrots, french beans and tomatoes are now well establish in the Greenhouse, if somewhat held back by the cold weather (we have had to protect them with fleece and plastic.) We have broad beans and onions coming along well outside and once the chance of frost clears we will be putting in courgettes, squash, sweetcorn and later, runner beans.

The trees have flowered late this year due to the odd weather we ‘ve had.

By completely encasing the greenhouse crops with fleece and net curtains we have been able to create a warm microclimate during this cold spring.

French round beans, Carrots and tomatoes in our new mulch raised beds. We have also planted Nasturtiums and Marigolds to keep away pests.