Baby
snail
The UK apple harvest has been phenomenal this year. The trees in our garden always crop well, but have been outstanding in 2025. The dry mild spring was beneficial for pollination, and later, when the blossom was setting.
A hot dry summer, the warmest on record apparently, gave more than enough sunshine to develop the fruit and give them sweetness. We had worried that there hadn’t been sufficient rainfall, but it seems there was enough to satisfy them.
Commercial apple growers are overjoyed, with harvests exceeding their best for more than a decade. Cider producers, in particular, had crops so heavy that boughs were breaking under the weight of the fruit. Some producers have bought extra tanks to hold the juice. It is a good year for cider!
The prediction was for a superb pear harvest, too, but our trees didn’t receive the memo.
It is still mild enough for infant snails to feed and strengthen their shells before hibernating. I hope they won’t be caught out by a sudden cold snap or a sharp-eyed blackbird or the carelessly placed boot of a human.
I love animals that have 4 legs, the only exception being birds.
ReplyDeleteAll things have their place in creation.😊
DeleteI didn't know snails hibernated. I wonder if they do here. Did you know cider in the US isn't alcoholic. What's the point of that!
ReplyDeleteGood grief - that's almost blasphemy!
DeleteHaving pressed cider on a dear Episcopal priest's farm, if you let the cider sit in its glass gallon jug for about 3-4 weeks, it will turn to an alcoholic version! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have an expert opinion. I may try that
DeleteI trust the little fella has been returned to the garden. Our summer was very dry. I really don’t how it affected what for farmers.
ReplyDeleteHe's still in the kitchen - it's a bit chilly outside. I know - daft!
DeleteI haven't seen any baby snails, but have noticed quite a few snail trails indicating they are out and about. I remember seeing dozens of babay snails years ago when we had an aquarium, we'd put a few snails in to keep the algae down a bit and one day my youngest noticed some of the "gravel" appeared to be moving, so we watched and noticed it was actually tiny snails.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's wonderful! Snails doing what comes naturally and obviously frequently. 😁
DeleteWe had just eaten the last of our apple cop last week, then P came home with a large bagful from his pub friend. He has too many on his tree to eat by himself so we now have another month's supply.
ReplyDeleteA very bounteous year indeed, even up here.
Apples keep so well, don't they?
DeleteThat is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise that it was such a good year for apples. I shall have to hit up the local farm shop. Thank you!
I hope there's a good selection for you.
DeleteThe baby snail is a wonderful little suprise!
ReplyDeleteOn one of my standard walks here, I come past an apple plantation, and they seemed to be doing very well this year, too.
It's such a joy to see well-laden trees.
DeleteLittle creatures on fruit hanging in trees have a hard time surviving. Birds have terrific eyesight. It's great to hear that the Apple crop in the pear crop in the country has been so good for everyone.
ReplyDeleteWe would be overwhelmed if everything survived. I have to remind myself of that if a sparrowhawk visits.
DeleteWell isn't that just the cutest little snail
ReplyDeleteThere's something very appealing about little snails.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wee fellow traversing a mighty apple!
ReplyDeleteWondering if there's any end in sight!
DeleteInteresting that a baby of any species can be charming. The little snail, so cute.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame they generally outgrew their cuteness!
DeleteTrouble is baby snails grow into big snails 😉
ReplyDeleteI love a cider and all apple based puds and cakes so it's great news about the abundant apple harvest.
Alison in Devon x
Mmm, lovely!
DeleteHappy to learn of the amazing harvest this year. Cute snail. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteHooray for the apples. Who knew about snails? The baby snail is quite cute.
ReplyDeleteLittle things usually are quite appealing.
ReplyDeleteSorry your pear crop wasn't good this year but a big cheer for the apples :)
ReplyDeleteI like the baby snail, it's rather cute!
All the best Jan
I'm not the biggest fan of snails, but gladly make an exception for a baby one :-) xxx
ReplyDelete