Dear All,
I am thinking of getting some more apple trees (and possibly pears) and would welcome recommendations on good places to get them. My local garden centres have limited variety. I am thinking of going for minarette-type trees.
Thanks,
Thomas
First stop may be Ken Muirs site:
http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/
Then have a look at Brogdale, a site that will whet your appetite for choice and may help on selection:
http://www.brogdale.org/
Then maybe a peek at Blackmoor Nursery. They have some intersting choices and supply good quality.
http://www.blackmoor.co.uk/
Finally look at Rogers of Pickering. They have a huge choice, and I mean 50 odd pages of fruit trees/shrubs including many many apples/pears at very good prices.
www.rvroger.co.uk
For pears I would suggest Beurre Hardy or Doyenne du Comice. My father has both and all I can say is YUM! Beth is also very nice.
Apples are much harder to choose as there are so many! I love Blenhein Orange, Bramley, Egremont Russet, Worecester Pearmain.
What ever you choose make sure you choose the right root stock and plan for the pollination.
HTH
Jerry
And Sunset, if you like Coxes. = Tim
For a laugh, I might have a go at growing from seed. In one of the back issues of Organic Gardening mag, there was a mention of a nursery (name forgotten) that grows some from seed (and on their own rootstock?). Wonder how long it would take to go from seed to fruit?
Our gardening group had a talk from the MD of Blackmoor orchards earlier this year.
He didn't think much of minarettes, what's wrong with small cordons or step overs?
Phil
Hi Thomasb - not much use to you, but is there anything similar for your part of the country?
http://www.foodfutures.org.uk/gyo/fruit.htm for the Northern Fruit Group, and http://www.galloway-fruit.org.uk/ used to give the South of Scotland Fruit Growers (? - but not now, at least for me).
They'd be able to suggest good varieties and good local nurseries?
All best - Gavin
You have, of course, looked at www.plant-seed-mailorder.org.uk (http://www.plant-seed-mailorder.org.uk) on the top fruit page for a local nursery?
Phil
Just thought I’d share an experience today. I popped over to Fareham today to get some home brew ingredients for making Parsnip and Raisin wine. Managed to park at the wrong end of the main street but this caused me to walk through a farmers market, wow what a lot of interesting stuff. Bought the homebrew stuff then leisurely walked back from stall to stall looking at all the local produce. Every stall was touchy feely tasty talky. At an apple stall I tasted the apples, didn’t buy any apples but bought an apple tree (Sunset) instead for £5! The lady gave me instructions + website (www.fruitwise.net). Definitely going back next month to purchase more trees and produce. Also going to mention at the allotment shop tomorrow.
Jamie
In the Eastern region, we have the East of England Apples and Orchard Project, a not-for-profit- voluntary group which supports the conservation of new and old orchards, as well as reintroducing many 'lost' local varieties. They can offer inspiration and advice.
e.mail: info@applesandorchards.org.uk
or conatcted 01328 701095
I would probably agree with Phil - minarettes seem to be unreliable - i would definately consider cordons on a less dwarfing rootstock. Also, although some varieties claim to be self-fertile, it is always better to have more than one tree, as long as pollination/flowering occurs at the same time. I would be looking for a later variety which can be stored into the new year, rather than an early such as Discovery. Have fun deciding.
cheers. suzy
Hi Thomas,
Only just read your message, but we use a nursery called Butterworths and they are based in Ayrshire, they are also organic and very very helpful. We have bought 5 cordon apples from him and he is growing one especially for us because one that he had he wasn't happy with so wouldn't send it out.
Good luck.
Gina( Bloody Ploughman)
which incidentley is the name of the apple which he is growing for us. :)