Spring has arrived on Our 200 Acre Farm, and the orchard is waking up with a burst of blossoms. The bees are out, the days are warming, and the promise of a fruitful harvest begins here. But along with the beauty of spring come the challenges of late frosts and unpredictable weather, making it a crucial time for orchard care.
At this time of year, fruit trees like plums, peaches, and early apples are covered in blossoms, offering vital pollen and nectar for our bees as they build up after winter. We keep a close eye on the weather forecast to plan hive checks around warm, sunny days, supporting strong pollination across the orchard.
However, these blossoms are vulnerable to late frosts. A single cold snap can damage flowers, reducing your harvest. Simple frost protection strategies can make a big difference. On cold, clear nights, you can run a sprinkler before dawn to create a thin layer of ice, which protects the flowers by keeping the temperature at 0°C as the ice forms. For smaller orchards or isolated trees, using frost cloth or even old sheets overnight can save your blossom.
Spring is also the perfect time to mulch around your trees. We use a mix of compost and straw to help retain soil moisture as the days warm and to suppress weeds, reducing competition for nutrients. If you didn’t prune during winter, light corrective pruning can still be done now, removing any damaged or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth.
It’s a good moment to feed your trees too. A light application of organic fertiliser or compost can support the energy required for flowering and early fruit set. We like to water deeply after feeding to encourage strong root growth as the trees come out of dormancy.
We also observe which pollinators are visiting our blossoms. Bees are crucial, but so are native insects like hoverflies and native solitary bees, which contribute quietly to fruit set. By avoiding sprays during flowering and planting flowering herbs and native shrubs nearby, you can help attract and support these beneficial insects.
Spring in the orchard is a time of promise and vigilance. With the right care, you can protect your blossoms from frost, encourage strong pollination, and set your trees up for a fruitful year ahead. Take time to enjoy the scent of the blossoms and the hum of the bees—this is one of the most beautiful times of the year on the farm.
