Worcester Pearmain

Sixty six years ago this week I was required to pick four ripe Worcester Pearmain apples from a tree planted in the early 1930s – my Aunt Ruth’s tree. My mother was nearing the end of her confinement wirh my brother to be, Geoffrey (now an archaeological consultant). Her craving was for Worcester Pearmain but they had to be the correct shade of red. So every morning I toddled off, unsupervised, to the tree with a quart aluminium jug to carry the spoils of my labour safely back home. This was not only my first experience of apple picking but also an introduction to some responsibility.

This is how September has always begun. This year our picking dates for varieties of apple are actually matching those of the ‘normal’ years of over twenty years ago. We are observing that once they are ready, the season for the individual types is shorter than usual. Discovery here had a very short season, indeed.

A busy month ahead and to be enjoyed more if the temperatures fall somewhat. It is better to harvest cool apples!

Worcester Pearmain above.

Ruth’s tree below.Very few apples this year but loaded in 2022.

I’m still at it!