Hi there, we have had a very warm and dry summer and this has progressed through and it is still very warm and dry. My apple tree and my plum have started to blossom. My apple actually still has mature fruit, small forming fruit as well as the blossom. Will this unusual weather pattern ruin my chances for next year? We do not get any frosts and live in quite a microclimate. Hope you can help. Rose.

Hi Rose, environmental stress such as drought and heat stress can cause this to happen, at some stage the plants growth has been checked, slowed or stopped due to the heat or lack of water. The drought has been broken by rain or irrigation, this breaks the trees temporary dormancy and initiates flowering, plants get confused and think it is time to flower and fruit again. Out of season fruiting isn’t detrimental to the tree, you can remove any fruit that sets, or leave it until it is time to prune the tree in winter.  Plum trees are best pruned in summer once fruiting has finished, if you have already done this and it is flowering, when temperatures cool flowering will stop. If you haven’t pruned your plum tree yet, wait until late winter, early spring to do this. Mulching around your trees will keep soil moisture levels more constant, and prevent moisture loss and reduce environmental stress on the trees. Any organic matter is suitable for mulching, bark, straw, rotted hay, rotted lawn clippings, seaweed, aged sawdust are all suitable.