Crab Apples

[portsmouth30]

Does anyone know of a good source of crab apple trees? Have searched in google and they seem to range in price from £6 to £24, is this a case of you get what you pay for?

[portsmouth30]

[star]

Or are you paying for age / size? I suppose if you want an ordinary crab then it would be cheaper, the bred ones will cost more Im sure.

Tree experts will be along shortly ;)

[portsmouth30]

Am just after a good one for making jam and jelly with. If anyone knows of a good source, it would be most appreciated

[PurpleHeather]

Most of the leading stores have offers in Late Winter/ Early Spring and you can pick up a decent young tree for under £10, under £5 in some cases. They know that they have a quick turn over, selling out within a week usually. Aldi, Liddl, Wilkinsons and Woolworths are worth watching to see when they get their supply. Keep your receipt too. If the plant fails, take it back and claim, not fit for purpose.

It can take 3- 5 years to give what I consider a decent harvest.

Check the age of the tree when comparing prices.

I have found with plants that price is much more dependant on the advertising or fantastic appearance of the nursery/garden centre than the condition of the stock.

You can make apple jelly from other apples. Crab apples were always wild, quick growing,  with tiny fruit and not sweet enough to eat raw, so people made jelly out of them. So don't be misled into thinking that the only apple for jelly is a crab apple.

[portsmouth30]

Any suggestions as to who to contact?

[Toadspawn]

Have you thought of looking for trees growing in the wild. The apples are rarely harvested and usually rot under the tree.

[portsmouth30]

Have 3 trees growing near me and harvest nearly all the apples, but never seem to have enough!, the OH has a real taste for my crab apple and chilli jelly!
Just thought that it might be an easier option to grow some of my own as well

[star]

That sounds gorgeous, do you have a recipe you'd be happy to share? ;)

[portsmouth30]

Always happy to share my recipes, will post it on here tonight for you

[portsmouth30]

The recipe i use is :

1.8kg crab apples washed and chopped
105g chilli's seeds in, washed and chopped
3 litres of water
500g preserving sugar for each 500ml of juice

Cook apples and chilli's with the water till pulpy (about 45mins)

Strain over night in a jelly bag

Bring slowly back to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar

Remove from heat and skim

Bring back to boil till set is reached(about 15mins)

Pour into warm jars and seal.

I re-boil the pulp with 2litres of water to produce a second batch.
Hope some of you enjoy making and eating this fantastic jelly

[star]

Lovely thank you. Will be giving this a go ;D ;D

[portsmouth30]

Forgot to say, this can also be made with bramley apples