Apple picking time

A plan has now been made on the basis of the Ribston Pippin having been gathered on 7th September – just one week ahead of  the long term average date here.

To follow, now are Sunset and Red Ellison, then Cox, Egremont Russet, Michaelmas Red and Lobo. Our Kidd’s Orange Red will need picking about 26th September. These, in particular, have a habit of not holding to the tree. When the day arrives, all hands focus on making sure of them!

We are short of the smaller sized fruits this season.The Laxton’s Fortune have been a handful each, with the Red Ellison also fairly mighty.

Some apples are sporting a toasted appearance, usually a speckling of dots on the more exposed skin. These are the damaged lenticels (breathing holes) . To begin with this just affects the peel. With some varieties, in time more deterioration occurs, whilst those with a thicker peel are more resilient.

Those of you in the vicinity of Flatford Mill on 24th September might enjoy a visit to the Wildlife Garden, where two local fruit growers will be present. I shall be attempting the identification of apples.

Another event at which I will be present in the same capacity is at Copped Hall near Epping on 8th October.

If you are bringing apples to be identified, try to ensure that the stalks are present.

There is growing concern about the future of imported vegetable, salad, and fruit crops, let alone how the home grown crops will be grown, harvested and processed. Several spaces to be watched during the next few years!

Usually the weather has the last word on matters such as these