The weather has been encouraging hibernation: very low light, damp and rainy, then cold and frosty. What the weather bods call ‘anticyclonic gloom’ seems to have dominated the south east of England for the past months. But the days are getting longer and bulbs are pushing up shoots. This is the time for pruning apples and pears.

Every year, I put it off … it requires ladders, a pruning saw, loppers and the strength to turn exuberant shoots into stumps. But it has to be done – the apples and pear we have cordoned against the station wall have grown strongly. Chopped back they must be, if only to allow for more air to circulate to counteract the prevailing damp. Fingers crossed they respond vigorously with a good crop of fruit. You never can tell …

Meanwhile our plum-in-a-box (Marjorie’s seedling) has grown enormous and if we don’t get it pruned, will shade the whole edible growing area in the summer. A ‘seedling’ it is not.

I think we’re going to need professional help again with this tree. It needs solid pruning back. It’s never really fruited well so there’s not a lot to lose. I’m hoping Brighton Permaculture Trust who helped us set up the mini-orchard back in 2012 will be able to advise.