Earlier anxieties regarding lack of rainfall, and the chance of  night frosts, are, for the moment, more relaxed.

Apple blossom has been slowly opening. The older trees and those on more vigourous rootstocks are earliest, while the less vigorous, with more shallow roots, are several days behind – regardless of variety, probably reflecting the dryish conditions of late.

Plum blossom is all but over – not such a dense show as usual but the weather has been more conducive than often.

Moths are about and early catches of Plum red maggot have been caught during the third week of April and the first Codling at the begining of May. We need to encourage the parasitoid wasp (Trichogramma) population. These minute beings insert their eggs into the eggs of moths, including Codling moth. This results in the Moth egg failing.

At this time of year Dandelion flowers abound here – they will be encouraged as they are attractive to the parasitoid wasps we need!

Needless to say that the now humid and damp conditions are a boost to onions, garlic, the beetroot sowings, and the developing spring cabbage –  which we expect  to have available at the beginning of June, French beans early in July and tomatoes early in August.

Any predictions about the apple crop are traditionally, in the industry,  left until Derby Day around the 6th of June.