Its been a fantastic blossom year this year. The weather has been perfect. The pruning has worked and lots more fruit bud has been created in the orchard. It’s nearly all gone over now, marking another start to a new season.
We have our Buckfast bees who have been aiding pollination. 7 active hives at the time of writing. The sheer amount of blossom has bought in many other beneficials too (and pests).
One of the benefits to having so many varieties is the long blossom season we inevitably have. Also, the vast amount of colour that’s been around. There has been plenty of nectar, pollen and bugs for everybody. To be honest I have had a great time, completely in my element! Seeing the subtle and sometimes not so subtle differences between each varieties flowers. Or just observing nature doing its thing.
Weather wise there were a few days where I was worried when the peaches were in bloom. It was cloudy, rainy and windy. Not ideal for pollinators and the pollen was struggling to stick to my paintbrush whilst hand pollinating. Apart from that, it has been dry but rain fell just as I thought I might stick on the irrigation. Crucially, there was no frost damage!!
So most of the fruit has now set. “June drop” will be the next milestone in the year and we can estimate amounts for harvest.
Enjoy the gallery below showcasing some of our blossom this year at Le Manoir aux quat’saisons.
The Grounded Orchardist 
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