Are we heading for a fruitless summer?

The RHS has reported that we could be facing a fruitless summer this year, as the winter chill, supposedly required for various fruits to crop, has been mostly absent. Bushes are also flowering early. While frost might be a real problem in killing off early blossom, the high winter temperatures aren't necessarily a cause for despair. It seems that we probably don't know as much about the temperature requirements, certainly of apple trees, as we think.

For an alternative view, do see my post from last November, A Chilling Time for Apples Ahead?  Or go straight to the Apples and Oranges blog for an eye-opener on parts of the world that grow apples where convention says it's impossible.

Comments

[Gaz]

After the last few harsher winters, i'm quite glad our garden has a bit of a rest this year. Although the lack of cold may be a problem for fruit, its a welcome break for our exotic garden!

[Helen Gazeley]

It's an ill wind... as they say, Gaz. The last couple of winters must have been a problem. Tom Hart Dyke lost the whole of the Canary Islands a couple of winters ago. See http://helengazeley.typepad.co.uk/gardenwriter/2010/05/taking-on-the-world-tom-hart-dyke-and-lullingstone-castle-gardens.html

[Robbie]

Hi Helen - it's been bitterly cold recently and snow is forecast this weekend - what does this mean for those of us that have been busy pruning away?

[Helen Gazeley]

Hi, Robbie Thank you for posting, and it's certainly time to toast one's toes in front of the fire! My experience with mature apple trees is that they stand up pretty well to cold weather after pruning. I suspect that young trees might suffer but I think that the general problem with pruning early is that it can break dormancy, stimulate new shoots, which then get knocked back by the cold weather.

[gaz]

Hi Helen thanks for the link. Gaz