Medlar news!

This warm October weather has certainly put the pressure on picking the last few apples , Catillac pears and, by the end of the month the medlars.

I anticipate that the bletting process will be quite swift again this season following all this warmth.

I observed, while identifying apples last weekend, that I only saw apples from heavy, clay soils. These areas held out better during the 2022 heat than those lighter soils, like here at Crapes, which gave the fruit buds a much better chance during blossom 2023, providing there were some local insects about.

There has been quite a lot of media coverage, recently, about the availability of apples and also the viability of growing them, to the producer.

In my opinion farmers, growers, producers of food generally need to emphasise more on communicating with you all. We almost need to be taught HOW to draw to your attention toward how tricky producing a crop, of any kind is. While you have basked in sunshine for two recent weekends, some crops are romping away, perhaps too lushly, making them more vulnerable once the cool and wet days arrive, while others are rapidly developing past their ideal best to be presented to you. These temperatures are influencing insect behaviour, not always to their long term benefit, which may be apparent, yet again , come Spring 2024.

Large, colourful machinery is eye catching. It has a purpose, it needs the right weather conditions to enable the optimum result and, above all, it needs wisdom and experience to operate it – these days that often means interpreting a computer in the cab! A horseman of the 1920s needed to know his/her horse, just as importantly.

Growing involves a whole complexity of interrelated principles.

Please, don’t take us for granted when you shop. Our heads are full of decision making and reworking – all the time.

Please don’t leave it too late to book your Medlars. Send an email.

We are still waiting for mail through Royal Mail posted first class on 14th September and subsequently. If you have posted an order to us since the beginning of September and wondered why the delay in receiving your pack, then please make contact by telephone or email. This problem is becoming nation wide – contact your Member of Parliament!!

Telephone 01206 212375