MID OCTOBER 2016

We had a lovely visit to the Orchard recently from the Oxted Rainbows. They were delighted to do some tasting (as you can see in the picture) and proclaimed Sunset to be their favourite apple. They did a scavenger hunt too, organised by their leader Sapphire, finding different leaves and seeds. Later they enjoyed hot dogs cooked on a camping stove by their other leader Amethyst. We are very much hoping that they will come again.

THE FOOD PROGRAMME: BBC RADIO 4

Do try to catch the Food Programme broadcast first at 12.35 am on Sunday 9 October on BBC Radio 4. A wonderful evocation of the joys of growing and eating apples….some of their history and even a little on the delights of the Wassail.  It puts into perspective all that we are trying to do at the Community Orchard.

Click here to listen now.

WORKING PARTY 19 OCTOBER

We need a Working Party to give the site a tidy up before the winter (Wednesday 19  October from 10.00am)

·        Cut down and dig out the 2 George Cave apple trees which have canker. We are going to replace them with a variety of dessert apple which will store into the winter.
·        Cut back the hedging on the A25 where it obscures the sight line when crossing over
·        Weed the tree sites
·        Cut back the hedging along the Eastern boundary + bramble and nettle
·        General bramble removal along grass margins and outside the Orchard onto the A25
·        Weed the wood chipped area in front of the laurel hedge.
·        Review and possibly strengthen the tree guard stakes which in some cases are beginning to rot
 
There should still be plenty of Herefordshire Russets to pick. These will store well up to Christmas
 
ps: coffee/bix provided for everyone

TASTING TWO

Tea and apple cake

We had a most successful afternoon for our second tasting session at the Orchard (last Saturday 24th September) with several children and some new visitors who had seen the invitation on the blackboard outside the Limpsfield Memorial Stores. Indeed if you would like to collect some of our Orchard apples they are available in the Stores for a small donation.

There are plenty of Sunsets left on the trees, and any Herefordshire Russets that are picked should keep well until December.

Remember that ripe fruit will lift off gently so be careful when picking. But do go up and taste different apples….it might make you decide to plant some in your own garden.

We have decided to remove the 2 George Cave trees which are sadly infected with canker. So we are now researching a late harvesting apple (a keeper) and one that might be more resistant to canker. We will be planting in the winter when the trees are dormant.

We will be having a working party on wed 19th at 10-00 to tidy the site and weed before the winter. If you are interested do contact me (Helen on 01883 713160).

Our new Niwaki ladder

Herefordshire Russet in full fruit

Tasting the fruit

Perfect Lord Lambourn

HARVEST/TASTING REMINDER

We had a good gathering last week with much enjoyable tasting. Visitors went home with over 15lbs of damsons and a few each of Fiesta, Katy (all gone now) and Bountiful (a cooker) We were also able to take home 3 perfect Beth pears…..these have to be picked and eaten at home when fully ripe.
This Saturday (24 September) there will be plenty of Bramley Seedling (we are going to use our fancy new ladder) and some Lord Lambourne, Ellison’s Orange and some Sunset. The Herefordshire Russets and Newton Wonder (cooker) are later so we should be picking those in early October. Sadly the Laxton Superb have not done well, but on the whole I am pleased with the crop now the fruit are maturing. The Buerre Hardy pears will be ready to harvest in a couple of weeks.

We’ll be at the Orchard from 2.30 to about 4pm so do come along to see how YOUR Orchard is doing.

Teas/coffee/fruit juice and APPLE CAKE!

Looking forward to seeing lots of you there

Helen and the Orchard TEAM

TASTING AND HARVEST

Sunday 18 September at 2.30pm (we especially hope families with children can come to this one)
AND
Saturday 24 September at 2.30pm

Do come along and see what sort of crop we have this year. We will taste all varieties which are ripe, and some will be available to take home.

Coffee/teas/apple juice and APPLE CAKE too.

Any offers to make apple cake greatly appreciated….please reply by e-mail or telephone 01883 713160.

Mid Summer Orchard Update

  Up in the Orchard we have just completed thinning the apples….using our lovely new Niwaki ladder (Japanese no less) which surely means the trees are indeed growing. In fact the Bramley Seedling is pretty enormous now and is carrying a good crop for the first time. However Bountiful, another cooking apple, which did so very well last year, is hardly bearing any fruit at all. The Herefordshire Russets are looking good, as are Katy (really early) and Ellison’s Orange.

The Sunset which was nibbled by the rabbit in February has had the “bandage” removed now and the bark appears to be hardening off. BUT we have been advised to remove most of the apples in order to spare its strength. Its twin, the other Sunset, is looking great….I think they are my favourite in the Orchard!

We do have some problems with a fungal infection (scab) which means some of the apples crack somewhat…..letting in disease which then rots them. I am investigating an organic method to deal with this for next year as it seems to be on the increase in the Northern part of the Orchard.

The 6 pear trees all have some fruit but the Buerre Hardys have the most and have a delicious flavour….a connoisseur’s pear.

We are planning two Harvest and Tasting days

Sunday 18 and Saturday 24 September from 2.30pm.

Do come along…..you will be able to test each apple (and possibly pear) that is ripe, and will be able to take some home too.