We really did have a good year last year. A magnificent crop
of healthy apples which we were able to use in several ways….tasted by many at
our Tasting Day, picked and taken home, with bags given to Limpsfield School
for the children and lastly some for the Harvest Festival in St Peter’s Church.
Not a single one was wasted. There were a few pears….always a slower crop to
become established but no damsons or Mirabelles. I must admit my very favourite
were the Sunset apples….truly delicious….if you are choosing a tree for your
own garden do try to find one. Another good cropper with a distinctive flavour
is the Herefordshire Russet.
This year we are doing our very best to ensure another good
crop of fruit for us all to enjoy. We had our successful pruning day in January,
shaping the trees to ensure maximum crops. This is a real hands on workshop,
and this year after pruning our own Orchard we went on to a garden in
Limpsfield where we tackled some really old trees. Shortly (April 8th)
we have our annual manuring day when we weed and feed the trees….a most
enjoyable job (if rather dirty) much enjoyed by all who come to help.
In February we had our annual Wassail on a clear starry
night with over 270 adults and children attending. The trees were well and
truly wassailed with shouts to ward off the devils, a terrific bonfire and much
hot spicy cider and apple cake. Many thanks are due to Jenny Ephgrave who
masterminded the evening with her large band of helpers. And of course we must
mention Ed Heaver our chief Wassailler and his team who entertain us with songs
and bless the trees after the torch lit procession over the Common from the
British Legion. This was well written up in the St Peter’s Limpsfield Parish News
and the Tandridge News…..so our fame is spreading!
At this time of year (April/May) the trees are growing very
fast. The flower buds are fattening and change can be seen almost daily. The
glorious blossom is already on the Mirabelles. We have fingers crossed that
there will be no late frosts to inhibit fruit set once pollination has taken
place. Do try to get up into the Orchard to have a look round and see the
annual magic taking place….PUT YOUR GLASSES ON! You need to look carefully to
see when exactly the little fruitlets form.
We are being helped (as last year) by the children from
Limpsfield School who are providing a new
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| A perfect Sunset
apple August 2014 |
set of Earwig Refuges. They are
beautifully decorated. The children have also devised some fancy bird scarers
which will go into place in June….bird damage last year was our worst
problem….once the birds peck the fruit then the damaged area is open to wasp
attack and the fruit deteriorates quickly. Hopefully this year the problem will
be solved!
Dates for the Diary
Blossom Viewing
Coffee Morning Sunday 10 May from 10-30
Apple Tasting
Morning Saturday 12 September from 10-30
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| Tasting
Day September 2014 |
Good wishes to you all for a fruitful year from Helen and
the Orchard Team
