Despite the damp, rainy October we have been experiencing, we were lucky to have a sunny morning for our annual apple picking and juicing day. Despite the poor crop of apples we were able to pick enough to share with the orchard members and produce some bottles of juice.
Although the apple crop may have been disappointing this year we have had a bumper crop of hazel and cob nuts.
The mixture of rain and sun has helped the orchard to thrive again and it’s looking as beautiful as ever in the late summer sunshine.
The apples are begining to ripen and the plums are now purple and ready to eat.
There are abundant nuts on the nut trees and it will be a race to who can pick them first us or the squirrels!
One of our major jobs is also looming on the horizon…scything! The grass in the meadows is now ready to cut. We cut the hay using traditional methods using scythes which will all need inspecting and any repairs made before the scything begins.
Last year, we planted some native wild flowers and they have now begun to flower. Steve spotted these Ox Eyed Daisies, Ragged Robin, Yellow Flag Iris and Foxgloves. Can you guess which of these flowers are below? (Click on the images for the answer)
If you have a few spare minutes please call into the orchard to enjoy the glorious wild flower meadows. There are carpets of colour all around the trees to be enjoyed. Look out for yellow rattle, clovers, buttercups, vetches, plantains and grasses.
The orchard is now beginning to blossom with the slightly warmer weather and longer days. The fruit trees are producing blossom and some of our Spring flowers are appearing. The Marsh Marigolds in the ditch are a splash of yellow.
The mild Feruary weather has woken up our nut trees in the nut grove. the catkins are a beautiful sight and well worth a look.
We also accidently disturbed a toad during our digging, he was quickly scooped up and placed in a safe place to continue his hibination in peace.
We often have shared meals after our events. Everyone contributes to these meals and we have some amazing food. Sue’s Greek Winter Salad was a favourite and she went home with an empty bowl. Sue has very kindly shared her recipe with us.
Greek Winter Salad
The quantities are not crucial to this recipe add more, reduce, or omit at will.
Shread the cabbage as if for coleslaw, half the orange and scoop out the flesh. Add to the cabbage along with any remaining juice. Roughly chop the walnuts and add along with pistachios if using. Add the raisins, strawberries, cranberries and mixed seeds. Next add the rocket and endive to add to colour balance. Mix well. I find it easier to mix with clean hands at this stage. Finally drizzle over the balsamic vinegar and olive oil and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning as reqired.
I find this salad keeps well for a couple of days if kept in a sealed container in the fridge.
Once again Orchard members, Allotment holders and family and friends gathered at the orchard an a dry but chilly Saturday in January to ‘wake up the trees’.
Wassailing is an ancient tradition revived during the nineteenth centuary. The trees are beaten with sticks and, along with shouting, noise making and singing, this is supposed to wake up the trees after their winter sleep. Bread dipped in cider is left in the branches and cider is poured on the roots to encourage the trees to produce a good crop of apples in the coming year.
We were lucky to have a wonderful group of musicians to help with the singing and The Green Man to lead the celebrations. A very good shared lunch was enjoyed afterwards.
On one of our Saturday work mornings, a member spotted a baby hedgehog slowly making its way between some allotments. Having enjoyed quietly watching the hedgehog for a while we left her to continue on her travels.
At this time of year with more activity in the orchard we are always very careful, when grass cutting and scything, not to harm or disturb any wildlife living in the long grass.
September started warm and sunny, a good day for grass cutting, scything, moving hay and picking fruit. A good turn out of members meant that lots of jobs could be tackled. During our well earned coffee break we tasted some of the windfall apples.
Lanchester Community Orchard 