The Grounded Orchardist

In many ways, this has been a season like I have never known whilst being an Orchardist. There was an unseasonably warm and wet winter, a late frost, not enough chill hours for some varieties…sadly, the list goes on!

Two glaring oddities are the lack of aphids and the fact I could calmly pick the Discovery’s as there are no wasps! There were two wasp damaged apples, that was it. You usually pick each apple like it’s going to bite you!

I have no answer for the lack of aphids, if you know please let me know! It’s usually part of a twice a week walk to cut them out. Although I am aiming for a balance of “good” and “bad” bugs, I don’t believe what I have done by hand has tipped the balance that much!

These two oddities have been good for the orchard (although wasps are also very helpful) and its also been good for my workload. However, it’s not good for biodiversity and the food chain, I wonder what the knock on effect will be.

There is another glaring obvious thing we are all noticing. Broadly speaking, insects have majorly declined this year. The apple ermine moth don’t seem effected of course and I’m pleased to say there are plenty of earwigs in the orchard. There are also many ladybirds however, not as many as usual. As an organic orchardist I rely on bugs as part of my pest control.

I’ll be honest though, it was my most favourite Discovery pick…..it really was lovely!