Spring

Hot and cold.

Fine and wet.

Spring is a challenge when you are growing crops along with natures fluctuations and beauty. It is always a pleasure to see the first buds burst forth and spread some delight after the depths of winter cold and often the first flowers are snuffed out with a cold snap that has fooled them in to showing their beauty before time.

There have been some magic days recently and working amongst the emerging growth and colour has been a pleasure and to see the trees move again after the stress they have been through is remarkable.

There is still evidence of the struggle however with some stonefruit trees on their last legs. They haven't  made it. One of my favourite varieties has succumbed after an amazing effort last year to carry some fruit only to lose it at the last hurdle. The root systems  were drowned in the flood and have lost the fight.

At least the plums have survived and the flowering is amazing. It has been a little cold for the bees but a couple of days have seen plenty of activity so along with bumble bees , birds and insects fingers crossed for a crop.  

The apples had a massive crop last year and look as though they are lacking new growth. It has certainly been a rough three years.

Spring is so important in laying down the foundation for the year. Even though we face many challenges in the coming months fruit set and returns will be determined this month for stone fruit and next month for apples.

Growing tree crops is satisfying but one has to be ready for anything that nature throws at us. Please no major events this season .

When the birds start their spring talk and start chatting up their mates it will be an indication that the weather is more settled and warming up enough to build some nests and lay some eggs. Of course the pukekos are already flashing each other and  building pathetic messy platforms of grass they hope you can't see.

Maybe after this cold snap we will make another leap forward and be able to shed some clothes again.