We have recently planted a Fig Tree in our new Forest Garden. Fig trees need their roots contained or they won’t produce a good crop of figs. A bucket was sunk into the ground and stones put in the base. Figs need a warm, sunny spot to grow and the forest garden is in an ideal position. It will be interesting to watch the fig tree grow over the next few years and to pick our first crop of figs!
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.
Our latest work morning was held on a chilly but sunny April morning. It was too damp to start the grass cutting, however, there was plenty of weeding to do in the fruit beds and new forest garden.
Please don’t think that it’s all gardening though. Coffee breaks are a good time to get together and someone usually brings along something home baked to share. This time it was cream scones and Jostaberry Jam, made with Orchard jostaberries from last summer.
If you enjoy gardening and home baking why not join us on our next work morning to find out more. Please see the ‘What’s on’ section of our website for the work morning dates.
We were not quite so lucky with the weather for this year’s celebration of Earth Hour! However, the rain stopped and a still evening with not wind meant that we could sit out around the brazier. The skies were mainly cloudy, but towards the end of the evening, the clouds began to thin and we could see some stars.
Our young orchard members had a brilliant time running around with their tourches enjoying the experience of playing in the dark. They were really interested in the star gazing and very knowledgable.
As usual, there was some lovely food to share and mulled cider. Thanks to all who joined in to celebrate Earth Hour 2019.
If you would like to find out more about Earth Hour then please visit the website by clicking here.
A few weeks ago, horticulturalist, Chris Beardshaw presented a programme devoted to apples. He uncovers the British contribution to the history of our most iconic fruit and sees how 20th-century British scientists helped create the modern mass-market apple. If you missed this or would like to watch this again then please click on this link. BBC 4 Apples: British to the core.
You can also read an article based on this programme if you click on this link, British to the core
As part of our grant application, we wanted to create a welcome board to help our visitors make the most of their walk around the orchard. A huge thanks must go to several of the orchard members who led this part of the project. This involved consulting all members about the design, gathering information and quotes and designing the board. The board was made by the Lion Mouth Community Interest Company and thanks to them for the good job they made of the mounting.
Now, if you take a wander around the orchard, don’t forget to look out for the all the points of interest mentioned on the new board.
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.
The milder weather has allowed us to make good progress on the maintainance of the Orchard. There was glorious sunshine on the 23rd February and we were able to continue with the winter pruning, weeding the forest garden and laying wood chip paths.
Many thanks to all 24 members who turned out to help and a big welcome to our new members. We also have to thank our three young members aged 2, 6 and 7 who helped to clear all of the branches created by the pruning!
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.
