Throwback Thursday: it’s too early for fall!

It’s early September. So, in 2 weeks fall starts according to the calendar. In recent years, fall usually started not before October, in some years not before November. But, this year is different. Fall already started in early June. Nearly no fruits on the trees and bushes here in my region. The apple tree in our garden has severe problems: the apples and the lower leaves rot and mold on the tree. We got exactly 10 apples while 5 of them are to be thrown directly on the compost heap. According to a professional gardener, this is a result of the low temperatures and the high amount of humidity because of the frequent and heavy rains. The image below is taken a couple of years ago.

Yesterday, I read the EU published a report stating 2021 was the hottest summer ever (since the beginning of the weather recording). I can’t confirm and according to co-workers from northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the summer over there also didn’t deserve that name. 😦 So, the summer in other parts of Europe (i.e. Poland and Finland according to other co-workers, Italy, Greece, and so on) must have been even hotter to balance the low temperatures in West-Europe.

 

Btw. the weather forecast proposed the next rain front starting from today and last at least until mid of next week. Fortunately, the last 5 days were kind of summerly.

Take care!

 

Wordless Wednesday: last apple

Take care!

Weekly Photo Challenge: dialogue

The photo challenge at The Daily Post is called “dialogue” this week.

The idea is, to set two photos in a connection. This might be the same color, the same subject from different angles or two different photos having a certain  connection.

I’ve chosen, to take two photos with a “before and after” or “then and now” connection. You can see a photo taken two days ago: 2 apples in an apple tree. The other photos is taken back in April and is showing the blossoms at the same tree. So, here you have a then and now connection.

Enjoy the harvest time 🙂

 

 

Take care!

Weekend wanderings (Hanami)

About 5 weeks ago, the white cherries were blooming, but I missed it because of bad weather and a lack of time. Now, the apple trees (left) and pear trees (in complete white) are starting to bloom. Also the pink Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata) is currently blooming. Other local names are Hill Cherry, Oriental Cherry or East Asian Cherry. These cherry trees are also called blossom cherry, because they don’t get eatable fruits. They are planted only for their blossoms.

In Japan, they celebrate Hanami every spring. This is a very important  festival and depends solely on the ferry blossoms. They even try to forecast the precise day, when it is about to start (when the first ferry blossoms will open).

This weekend the sky was mostly overcast. But, every now and then a few sun rays found their way to the ground to enlighten the blossoms.

I hope, you enjoy the blossoms too.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

it’s harvest time

Fall also means harvest in the northern hemisphere.

The apples in the basket are freshly picked. It’s necessary to pick them not before they are ripe. But, don’t let them in the tree too long. Why? It’s easy. At the end of October you have to expect night frost and the frost will spoil most of the fruits.

So, we picked all of the apples, when I noticed a temperature of only 3°C in the morning. Now, we have them save in our cellar waiting to be eaten.

Many years ago, a common believe was, that in the night between October 31 and November 1st a devil jumps through the country and shits on all remaining fruits, grains, veggies and crops and spoils them that way. Nowadays we know that this devils really name is frost.

Take care!