Crop and Weather Summary

December

The month divided into three roughly equal parts - an unsettled period for about the first third of the month, followed by a generally anticyclonic spell and further unsettled weather for the remainder of the month. Rainfall across the UK generally close to average, some parts of eastern England received less than half the normal amount for the month- averaged over England and Wales, the month's total of 83mm which was 15% below average. As for the temperature, the cold spell mid-month roughly balanced with the milder periods early and late. As a result, December 2007 (like November) was generally colder than that of 2006 but warmer than that of 2005.

All crops are in dormant stages. Pruning of pears nearly completed, apples well on the way and 90% of all Stone Fruit has been now pruned.
Soft fruit sites dormant general tidy up of damaged tunnels.