Apples & Pears

No, not Cockney rhyming slang, actual apples and pears!

"Friandise"

We went to Brogdale Farm Apple Festival on Sunday: we are hoping to find ideas for what sort of apples (and other fruit) to grow when we get the potager more sorted out...

[We spoke with Vincent who was recommended by Bernard, the mayor, who says he can dig us a trench to bury a membrane (thinking 600mm damp proof course) to prevent pernicious weeds from recolonising the ground I spent so much time clearing in the summer; so hopefully the weeds will stay in the meadow, and we won't have to spray the couch grass and bindweed.]

"Blenheim Orange"

We aim to plant trees next autumn, so need to taste apples now.  I think at Brogdale Farm we can order grafted trees from any of their stock; a tailor-made solution.

It turns out that I really like cooking apples and crab apples [I knew that anyway, but it came as a surprise just how fussy I was in turning my nose up at virtually all the "eating" apples!]

"Swan's Egg"

We did the walking tour, and Alan was wonderful with his talks and tasting sessions; I think we'll schedule a visit if they do an Open Day in the plum season.

We also loved the marquee where there was a display of an incredible variety of apples, old and new, including continental ones (good to have the German speaker with me).

I think we probably spent the most time of all the people choosing a bagful of apples, but we're doing research, not just eating yummy fruit!

Of all the varieties in the tent where we could taste samples and buy apples, our favourites were:

• "Friandise", a really tatty looking small apple with a good crunch and sharper taste
• "Blenheim Orange", 'proper' red-and-yellow apple
•  "Swan's Egg", a non-gritty flavoursome pear, and
• "Balder", a yummy, crunchy cooking apple

On the tasting walking tour we really enjoyed:

• "Bergamotte Fondante d'Été", a can't-get-enough pear
• "Great Expectations", a really crunchy tart-enough eating apple
• "Ananas Reinette", a sweeter apple
• "Gorgeous", which really was a gorgeous, red crab apple
• A302/2, another crab apple

"Balder"

So it's given us plenty to think about.  A gentleman there said we could plant this autumn, but I think I'd rather be sure that the ground is clear [and the membrane is in place] and order some "bespoke" plants after we've had a chat to someone when they are less busy.

But it feels as though we are really moving forward; I can't wait to have our own apple trees, and am even looking forward to the challenge of creating our own espaliers [huge difference in price if someone else has done that initial training] - just need some posts and wires!