Heatwave gives UK 'a bounty of late summer fruit'

Experts say that the 2018 heatwave is leading to the best and earliest harvest of late summer crops such as apples, plums, grapes, tomatoes and even olives, in years. The Royal Horticultural Society said it was expecting its best ever late summer apple crop at its gardens at Wisley, in Surrey.

Bumper crops of many late summer fruit and berries are the result of the cold weather earlier in the year holding back blossom, which when it flowered did not suffer from any late frosts. This was followed by hot, sunny conditions which has led to a bountiful harvest and kept pests and diseases at bay.

Fruit flavours are set to be enhanced by the sunlight which has boosted sugars and the other ingredients that deliver tasty produce.

Guy Barter, RHS chief horticulturalist, said: “After a disappointing 2017, we’re extremely fortunate that this year everything has come together to produce an incredible bounty of pears, plums, apples, tomatoes, grapes, berries, olives and all sorts of other delicious edibles all over the UK.”

At Hyde Hall in Essex there are crops of unusual fruit such as Cuca-melon, wonderberries, and tiny red tomato-like fruit called vila vila.

Source: en.brinkwire.com