What a busy month we've had! This blog post is jam-packed so suggest you make sure you are sitting comfortably, maybe even with a cuppa to hand!
We are winners!
We kicked off September by entering the Hurst Green Garden Club Summer Show with some of our very own apples and pears from the Orchard. Bountiful, Meridian and Ellison's Orange all made an appearance but the star was our Conference Pears which won 1st place!
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Special Visit
Next up, we were treated to a rather special visit from RHS Fruit Specialist Jim Arbury and RHS Fruit Advisor Lenka Cooke. Our very own Sue put together this helpful report of the visit and while it relates specifically to the Orchard, those of you with your own fruit trees in gardens or allotments may also find it useful.
They felt the Orchard was doing well, with most trees thriving, 12 years since their planting in November 2010. Jim was interested in the choice of cultivars and recommended Cockle Pippin which was raised in Godstone in the early 1800s. It's a Russet and resistant to canker and rust. Another local culinary apples, Crawley Beauty was found in a garden in Tilgate near Crawley in 1870. It should be used when freshly picked as it does not store well. There are Crawley Beauty growing in the pub garden of the Carpenter's Arms in Limpsfield Chart.
Jim's Comments:
- Trees are in some cases too shaded for good growth and suffer from the proximity to the large woodland trees which surround the site (Oak and Beech mainly)
- The large Copper Beech in the Orchard also sucks up moisture and provides heavy shade too
- Watering which was available for the first time in 2022 has made an appreciable difference.
- There is canker on several trees. This should be pruned out vigorously when seen which can be in the summer. Smaller areas can be scraped out. Trees can grow through this.
- Summer pruning is also recommended where heavy growth and overcrowding is seen. This was done in 2022 on the Fiesta.
- Winter moth caterpillar discussed briefly. Our regime of applying sticky barriers to the trees in November and then exposing the soil under each tree in November /December approved. We were lucky in 2022….
- Any apples with brown rot should be removed immediately especially those left on the trees in the winter
- Damage caused by Rosy Apple Aphid seen on a few trees. These stunted apples should be removed when seen
- Scab is exacerbated by overcrowding. By ensuring a clear centre of the tree light and air can reduce this problem
- Codling moth apparent on Lord Lambourne. Improve thinning of the fruit to reduce this and ensure all fallen fruit are collected up. Pheromone traps do not always work and are not recommended.
- Pear rust of no significance. 2022 not a bad year….
- Pear Stony Pit was observed in a few Buerre Hardy pears. This is caused by a virus and leads to a stony looking core. There is currently no treatment. Affected pears should be burnt. Use sterilised tools when pruning.
- Fruit insufficiently thinned on Herefordshire Russets, and Conference Pear. They have both cropped very heavily this year and that can lead to biennial crops as the tree struggles to regain strength.
- Solitary bees are important for pollination. They need bare areas of ground in which to nest and overwinter.
- Our current practice of manuring each tree in spring and covering the whole tree site with woodchip mulch is considered invaluable for the health of the trees. No further feeding should be necessary.
- Some trees need particularly hard pruning this winter (22/23) to reduce height and open up the centres (Including Fiesta, Bramley Seedling and Arthur Turner) Ensure tools sterilised between trees (spirit or other commercial product)
- Damsons should be thinned with crossing branches cut out in April once growth begins.
Taking notes from Lenka
Jotting down Jim's comments!
An example of canker - a small area of dead tissue
Group photo with our special guests Lenka and Jim
Thank you Sue for the detailed report and to Alan & Helen for the photographs!
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Harvest & Fruit Tasting
Lastly, we enjoyed two harvest and fruit tasting days at the Orchard this September. We have had a wonderful crop of both apples and pears this year, the best we've ever had! The harvest is being distributed in various ways including to Orchard Friends, the Memorial Stores and Limpsfield School. A box has also been donated to the Food Bank in Hurst Green.
Hunter gathers for the treasure hunt!
Selection of fruits and cake
We were so fortunate with the weather which no doubt contributed to the great turn out of people who came to join us to sample the fruit. There was a treasure hunt for the children who all did a great job at finding the objects. We also had a wonderful selection of baked apple cakes that were brought to the tasting days by generous volunteers and attendees. Our very own Helen Ellson has kindly given us a copy of her recipe which we've included in this blog post. Do let us know if you give it a try and how you get on!
Limpsfield Apple Cake
Ingredients:
🍏 400g apples (mixture of cooking / eating apples) peeled and finely diced
🍏 125g mixed dried fruit
🍏 250g self raising flour (1/3 wholemeal is nice)
🍏 125g butter
🍏 125g brown sugar (although you can choose to use much less - 70g)
🍏 1 large egg (beaten)
🍏 1 tsp cinnamon
🍏 1 tsp mixed spice
Method:
🍎 Line 8"/20cm diameter cake tin
🍎 rub butter & flour together
🍎 add egg, sugar & spices and mix gently
🍎 gently stir in mixed dried fruit and apples
🍎 bake for 40-45 min at 180 degrees C (160 degrees C fan) until firm to the touch
🍎 Cool in the tin
🍎 Can be served as a cake or dessert with cream - Enjoy!
Volunteering with us
Don't forget, we're on the lookout for volunteers who would like to take on leadership roles at the Orchard to ensure its continued success for all in the community. You don't need to be an expert in fruit trees, just a healthy dose of enthusiasm and organisational skills! Perhaps you've enjoyed reading our September round-up and it's inspired you to get involved, either way we would love to hear from you. Contact Helen Ellson (helenellson205@btinternet.com) or Lorna Ball (orclimp@gmail.com) for more details.
