Fears on mini-sprouts

The traditional sprout nestling next to the Christmas turkey could be a sorry size this festive season if the good September weather gives out, farmers are warning today.

Fruit and vegetable growers around the West Midlands are hoping for an Indian summer to make up for poor crops caused by the washout summer.

September sun has brought a welcome respite to the region's farms and orchards but local growers need it to continue if they are to make up for the downpours.

South Staffordshire farmer Richard Simkin said this year's crop of sweetcorn was almost ruined and was only saved by the late sunshine.

Mr Simkin, who runs Essington Fruit Farm in Bognop Road, said: "The summer was appalling. A lot of crops are still suffering from the effects of the bad weather but a bit of good weather is actually bringing them round."

He added that sweetcorn should have been harvested last month but was left to give it chance to recover, and it was not looking good for sprouts if the inclement weather continues.

"The sprouts which we all need for Christmas went into the ground in June and July but they just sat in water which did nothing for them", he added.

"They are about a month behind too. This current good weather needs to carry on until the end of the month if the crops are going to do well."

Crops need sunlight to help them create natural sugars and starch which give them their size. More than a quarter of the UK's fruit is grown in the West Midlands, much of it coming from Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Apple harvesting is due to start later this month but the fruits are smaller than in previous years because the lack of sunshine has meant less sugar in them.

Clin Broomfield, owner of Broomfields Farm Shop at Broomfields Nursery, at Holt Heath, near Stourport-on-Severn, said the weather had proved a big problem for many growers.

"For anyone with stuff at the mercy of the elements it has been a difficult time," he said.

"The rain has been ideal for the autumn varieties which we are picking now. Fortunately we have the dry weather in which to harvest them.

"Some people have claimed that apples have not developed but we have 80 acres for apples and are quite happy with the situation.

"We had a very wet June and July and the apples continued to grow well. The recent dry spell helped them develop and it has been quite good for us."