Following a dismal harvest in 2012, UK fruit growers are basking in the much improved yield of this years apple and pear harvest. Environmental consultancy ADAS UK has stated that the recent cold weather has actually been good for the successful harvest, hopefully helping to produce yet another strong harvest on the branches of autumn. The poor weather conditions of last year caused the yields of British fruit to drop by 50 percent, and the cold weather has meant that cereal growers are facing another harsh year this year. The growing season was initially late by around eight weeks, but the recent warming of the weather has seen that reduced to around three to four weeks. Although there has been frost in certain areas of the country, crop growers are confident that this shouldn’t ruin the fruit.
However, there would be a cause for concern if air frost occurred, which happens when the air temperature 1.25m above the ground falls to 0c or below. Areas such as Kent, Worcestershire and Hertfordshire are most likely to be through this period now, so those crops should be fine. Apple harvests are reliant on pollinators such as hoverflies – they are in blossom for about 14 days, during which they are pollinated, by both hoverflies and bees. Most varieties of apple trees won’t produce any fruit until they are pollinated and pollinated with pollen from another variety of apple tree, so it’s vital that the trees are in flower at the same time.
The next twelve months determine what sort of harvest the UK will see for next year. Crop growers are looking for a sunny and dry autumn to achieve a great harvest, then a cold period during the winter. Following that, they need a good fortnight during the spring where there is no air frost so that the trees can be pollinated successfully. They ideally need good growing weather during the warmer months – this is during May where there will most likely be some rain showers and warmer nights, with no drought during June, July and August.