Wow, this is the quintessential April. Have we got showers for you. Thank you Thomas Tusser (1524-1580) whose A Hundreth Good Pointes of Husbandrie should be required reading for everyone. “Sweete April showers/ Doo spring Maie flowers.” Now those showers are coming nearly every day. Admittedly the accumulation has been minimal, some might say pathetic, but it’s wet, and we need wet. And the plants are responding. The garlic is up and looking good. The bulbs surrounding the apple trees are beginning to show color. Laura mentioned that some fruit tree buds are beginning to swell. Better cut your scionwood before it’s too late.
Buckets of young grafted trees, April 16, 2026
Got a phone call today from one of those who attended my talk in Woolwich last weekend. She used to live on the Cathance Road in Topsham—right near the old Givens farm—and thinks there’s a chance that there’s a Givens apple tree on her former property. She contacted the new owners, and they are excited. to help. There were four old trees. One died and was cut down in the last year or two. But three remain. Yes! They will send me photos of the trees, and I’ll collect leaves and submit them for DNA profile later this spring. Fingers crossed.
Spring is happening inside as well. The apples we grafted two weeks ago are all showing green. That is exciting. Looks like we still know how to do it.