The trees and fruit bushes are now looking for some rain which no doubt will be upon us imminently. What a summer we’ve had! From the end of May to the start of July the heat wave has given us a such a glorious long dry spell. All the hay has been cut in surrounding fields, and the apple fruit is coming on and thinking about growing and starting to ripen.
Due to the timing of the blossom this year we’ve had no pears, but so far a bumper crop of raspberries and redcurrants, blackcurrants and gooseberries. The raspberry jam has been delicious and our bees are excited by this long dry spell so we’re crossing fingers for a strong honey harvest.
The bees are now pollinating the blackberry and broad bean flowers in nearby fields, and there is the promise of some plums and apricots.
Despite the long dry spell, the growth of the willow each year staggers me and we’ll cut it as usual later in the year once the shoots have shed their leaves.
Our apple trees are starting to put growth into their side lateral branches having pruned their top shoots during the winter period and now our pruning has meant the growth in the trees is impressive. Our five year old fruit trees may produce a crop!
