Weather in charge

So much for some meaningful decent weather during the mid to late apple blossom period. Instead a typical, English, deterioration in temperatures accompanied by relentless rainfall and winds. For those who are about at the crack of dawn you may have seen clear skies – some frosty temperatures recorded in this area of Essex – 5th, 6th and 7th May within a two metre band above ground level – most of the apple blossom was within this band! This after the frostiest April for 60 years.

The other point to consider is, that as the sun rises, thawing frost on it’s way, the tops of the tress on the east side are warmed first. the more rapid the thaw, the greater the tissue damage within the flower/fruitlet. The sharper the frost the less likely much will survive. The days of polluting the neighbourhood by burning wax candles, old oil or straw bales in an attempt to increase the temperatures within the orchard rows are an activity definitely pushed into the past. Overhead water sprinkling through such nights is very effective but one needs a good supply of water , especially for a frosty week, and good drains. On the continent fruit growing areas throughout both France and Italy, especially, have suffered similarly.

During the last fifteen years former Wheat and Oilseed Rape land, adjacent to Crapes, has been sold in parcels to local residents who have planted swathes of deciduous trees in blocks and wide strips. Now that these have matured, the flow of air has been interrupted/diverted somewhat from the free drainage available in the past.

There will be some apples, though after mid September any later varieties are looking very thin indeed at present. The season is running late. on the plus side we have received more than enough rainfall for both May , and now, by the look of things, June also – at the cost of needing extra layers again!