Started the Pruning

I started pruning the trees on the 30th January. Spent about 4hrs cutting back branches that are rubbing or are heading back into the tree. Its still early days and and as long as air can get in and around then its fine.

Any branch that looks weak or diseased had also been removed. All in all a productive weekend.

I have seen lots of buds some are much larger than others and I am comparing them against varieties. Its interesting stuff and I hope that the blossom this year is even better than last.

I have found lots more ladybirds and other bugs, as the picture show. I still haven't been in to see the bees but its still to cold to go into the hives.

I also spotted and talked to a couple of ramblers this weekend, I think they were impressed with the project.

Still need to prune the Trees

Over the weekend I checked the trees. I have removed more stakes. All seems fines. However I still have not started the pruning.

I have to also start removing some of the additional protection that we have given to the trees. The brown fencing that acts as a micro climate and provides some protection from from rabbits has also started to rub against some of the branches. This is not necessary on all the trees just some that have grown quickly. I think the pears and cherry's aren't going to need to be done just yet.

The reason for the delay in pruning is time. The family doesn't always want to spend a whole day in the cold and I will need at least a whole day to get the work done, so the plan if for me do start on this Sunday.

The kids have been helping me, Hemish just wants to hang out with the horses and Maya is willing to help with somethings as long as she is praised and rewarded in some manor "sweets", and also long as its not to cold.

However I love it when the whole family is with me. I want them to enjoy and know that the effects they make are all for a positive, to our own food security and for the environment and for their own health. Lots of animals, birds and insects will benefit from the work we are doing, and they are also learning in some cases new skills.

Stakes removed

I have removed a number of stakes from some of the trees. When examining the trees the growth and wind has mean that some of the branches or trunks have rubbed against the stakes. This is not good. This should give the trees more room to grow now.

Hemish came with me and sat in the pushchair as I examined the trees and he stared and talked to the horses in the next field. He had fun, munching crisps etc. We later went to the local farm shop and he was fascinated by the cows and sheep in the fields and barns.

The ground is very wet, and in some cases its boggy. It is the middle of winter and in recent weeks we have had lots of rain so nothing to worry about. I must admit now with the new trees in place the whole orchard looks and feels different.

I should start the winter pruning and will next week. Some branches will need to be removed. It might have to be done on the Sunday as that way Leena can look after the kids, it all depends on the weather.

The bee hive has not suffered further damages. This is good news. This coming Thursday its the monthly Bee lecture I am looking forward to it, in part so I can talk to others about the bees etc. Its still to cold to go inside the fives, though it has started to warm up.

Woodpecker attacking the bee hive

I checked on the trees etc last week. The trees are fine, however the Bee hive seems to have been attacked by a wood pecker. It hasn't gotten in but it will keep trying.

I have covered the Hive in a plastic covering "empty compost bags" which I am told it should deter the woodpecker. With the weather so bad and wet and the temperature so low if would be difficult to move the hive. I have 2 options (1) move the hive (2) cover the hive with some kind of deterant. They have hives protected from woodpeckers at the Sutton Park Apiary. I have to build my own could take some time. Will let you know how it goes.

The trees are fine, branches covered in buds, lots small ones some large, the trees are all well.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas eve, I put the additional large rabbit guards, around the trees. I then checked all the trees. I'm glad I managed to get the leaf much around the trees a couple of days ago as the snow has been intense. The orchard had at least 2/4 inches of snow.

The bees are in the hive and I plan to give check the food stores as soon as it gets warmer.

This will probably be the last time I check on the trees this year. Lets hope next year will be better for us all. Happy new year one and all.

Christmas Week

Lots and lots of snow, the country is practically at a standstill. Not much happening at the orchard. I haven't been down in the past couple of days. In fact after putting the extra leaf mulch around the tree roots I haven't checked on then. I have got some additional extra large rabbit guards that need to be put round the trees, but that won't happen till this coming weekend, with a bit of luck.

With the ground so cold I am worried about rabbits ring barking some of the trees, but the new guards should be enough to keep them protected. I still have 5 trees only protected with basic guards, they are the biggest worry at present.

I have taken a number of pictures before the heavy snow, which show things like leaves covered in frost and tracks in light snow that I plan to upload soon. They are pretty.

Until a couple of days ago I could easily find lots of ladybirds still on trees. I hope that the parasites like aphids die out over the cold period and the useful insets like ladybirds manage to survive , we shall have to wait and see.

Over the past couple of weeks because of the heavy snow I have been unable to feed the bees. This is worrying. The bees should have enough food for a while, but without going through the hives, I can't really tell how they are doing. The hive in the garden has had some causualties a small number have died because of the cold. The other bees bring the bodies to the entrance and throw them out, I have also seen larvae, which I think is unusual, as I wouldn't expect larvae to be in the hive at this time of the year. It could be a clear up.

One of my neighbours has given me some home made cider which I plan on drinking a little closer to Christmas. I have also given a number of the neighbours a jar of honey, and also to those that have helped with the recent planting.

Preparing to enter 2011 lets all hope that its a good year. Merry Christmas and happy new year one and all.

The new trees have arrived and are in the ground.

Over the past couple of weeks we have had a severe cold snap. The orchard floor had been caked the snow and the ice. Because of this I hadn't been able to take delivery of the new trees. The suppliers weren't able to take the trees out of the ground and I couldn't have planted them. Even if I had tried the ground would have been very cold and the risk of damage to the roots would have been high.

Anyway last weekend the new trees arrived and we got them planted. We had ordered 27 new fruit trees and had a couple more that need planting. It took a couple of hours lots of hard work a couple large Pizza's, some soft drinks sweets and 4 and a half people that were knackered but the end of it. The following day I planted a couple more trees with the kids and my parents. Now the orchard looks proper. Row after row of trees, and the place is beautiful. The new ones are just sapling, but so were the others only 2 years ago, now they look great.

I must admit that on finishing the work and wondering around, the feeling I had and still get when considering what the orchard will be like in a couple of years is amazing. I will have over a hundred trees in the space of 3,3 acres. Not all of them are fruit trees but the majority are.

My imagination of what I and my friends, family will be able to do in the orchard run wild. Summer afternoons, having picnics, playing tig, and other games. Then all of us working together to collect the fruit, using it sharing it, perhaps selling or giving it away to friends, family, colleagues and those that want local fresh produce perhaps even a small amount of cider, we shall see.

The local wildlife will benefit, if the kids want to camp, out watch the stars no problem.

I plan to put some additional leave mulch down, this afternoon, I have already loaded the trooper with bags and bags of leaves. In truth I just want to get down and see the trees again