May 2025

Early in the month, greeted by pale blue skies, the sun shining, the birds singing their hearts out and still there were frosts on the ground up in the higher part of the field. Inspite of lovely warm days, the chill hangs around and you only have to step out of the sun to know that the Winter jumpers can't be packed away yet. But Spring 2025 still got the award for being the warmest and sunniest in the UK since records began. (MET Office statistics). As usual in the West, the rain made an appearance and so our land was not thirsty, but it was a very dry month for most and North Wales, Dartmoor and Northern Ireland all experienced serious wildfires.

The recordings of the birds have thrown up some new visitors; Siskins, Skylarks, Blackcaps and Dunnocks, all singing on a regular basis throughout the month. The Goldfinches put in a strong appearance alongside Wrens, Blackbirds, Robins, Jackdaws, Wood Pigeons and the ever dominant Chiffchaffs.  Swallows are well and truly settled in their recently renovated homes. They are outraged if I ever venture into the barn, flying back and forth and darting in and out of the buildings yapping loudly, and then they line up on an old metal bar that stretches across the barn ceiling and look down on me, waiting for me to hurry up and disappear. I think there are less of them this year but I only get to count them at the end of the season when they all gather on the telegraph wires, just before they fly off to warmer climes. We shall see.

By the end of the month most of the trees we planted in the copse were all in full leaf - 35 of them, plus a few extra who have arrived on their own, in particular the Blackthorn and Hawthorn. Both of these have vast support from their wider family lining the hedges. All 50 of the Autumn hedges we planted have come up and look to have strong growth, and likewise the Willow cuttings.  One of the large Buddleia trees in the middle of the copse has died - no idea why, it always looked strong and full of healthy leaves and flowers. I had thought them to be indestructible. Rumours are spreading from Helston that the Buddleias are dying en masse in the small town gardens. Tongues are wagging and conspiracies are starting to emerge - I kid you not.

We have been lining the paths in the allotment with cardboard and piles of woodchips in a wild attempt to dampen down the growth of weeds. I feel they are laughing at us. In the meantime all growing salad and green plants are being thoroughly enjoyed by the slugs - nice to know something is thriving! The fruit bushes, however are looking good.  Gooseberries and Raspberries all showing good amounts of fruit forming.  All the new Blackcurrant cuttings are looking healthy and strong.  The 3 new Blueberry plants have all got several bunches of fruit emerging and the new Grape vine, planted last Autumn, has 12 beautifully formed miniature bunches of Grapes. (I later learned that I will need to cut all but two of these if I want strong growth in future years - it felt brutal to cut them out).

Out on the wider landscape, the first cut of silage has taken place, it's an earlier than usual cut due to the warmer weather. It leaves a lovely array of different shades of green in the landscape.  It's the field version of the before and after of a haircut. Our own field will not be cut until late Summer. It is looking very pristine, the Yorkshire Fog casting its pale violet sheen across the land with swathes of Buttercups rolling down the hill. New self seeded Oaks have appeared but several have disappeared from last year's numbers.  Docks, as always are scattered across the field adding their bright green and red hues in their flower spikes.  We have the full genus, (Rumex), of Docks and Sorrel on display; Broad -leaved Dock, Curled Dock, Wood Dock, Sheep's Sorrel and Common Sorrel. A nightmare to many people but I love their strong colours and shapes. Hogweed plants are plentiful, in particular in the orchard. They give a strong structure and shape to any area and so they are allowed to stay. And finally the prize for the most prolific grower of the season is awarded to a giant Prickly Sowthistle.  This has grown up by the side of the tallest Apple tree, about 15 foot tall, and is only a foot away from the top.  I hope it's helping the Apples.