On Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:19:45 +0000, Ophelia wrote:

Copied from another group:
~~~

The Farmers Almanac this year predicts a hard winter.

I have my own indicators - a heavy crop of crab apples, of winter pears
and a heavy but very late crop of grapes on my vine, huge crop of
conkers and lots of beech mast (earlier in the year).

The darned squirrels have nearly cultivated my garden with their
frenetic burying of foodstuffs.

That's good enough for me – If the squirrels say it’s going to be ‘ard
it’s going to be ‘ard!.

~~~
I guess all we can do is wait and see

According to Autum Watch a good crop this year reflects a good summer/
autumn last year when the trees and plants built up good reserves which
could be put into flowering this year resulting in the potential for a
good crop this year.

Given a good fruit set followed by a good summer, you get a good crop this
autumn.

With an abundance of food this year we probably have a lower infant
mortality rate in squirrels.

Then again, we might have psychic conker trees.

Cheers

Dave R