We have just had our Apple Day at the Nursery Shop and we are keeping the fruit display going until Mid October. It’s a good opportunity to see and taste the apples before you buy the tree.
Over the past few years we have increased the varieties grown on our Stock Orchard. We concentrate on local and Northern varieties giving us the advantage of seeing how they perform and pinpointing any problems before we them select for grafting. Later this month we will have a short video of the Stock Orchards in full fruit, it will be well worth a look.
We not only produce Apples but also Pears, Plums, Quince and Medlars etc. This seasons stock are now offered for sale. We have lists of these available, but we do also have short runs of varieties which are not listed, so it is always worth an enquiry.
If I was to list a few of my favourite apples for dessert or eating, ‘Katy’ is a superb cropper, even in poor years. It has a wonderful flavour that is sweet and ready straight from the tree. For a good winter keeper ‘Winter Gem’ or King’s Acre Pippin’. For cooking I would go for ‘Arthur Turner’, it is a lovely tree to grow, a comapact form and it sets well. Alternatively try ‘Cat’s Head’ if you want something different, it has huge apples that make the most wonderful puree and pies.
For a Pear, I find people always request ‘Conference’ , it is not one of my favourites, as its hard and not always the best flavour. ‘Concorde’ sets just as well but the flavour and texture is far superior.
I could go on but if you need more advice just ask us, we are happy to help, if its just one tree or you are planning an orchard.
With Christmas just around the corner we always have customers wanting a fruit tree as a present. It is a good idea and it is certainly a present that keeps on giving, so bear it in mind.