An enjoyable and escapist read, within the first chapter I wasn't disappointed. The Author has the main character describing several varieties of apple as he goes about his local countryside cider pressing. 'Sops in Wine' is an unusual variety I already have, but some brief research turned up an interesting background to 'Redstreak' - a once profound cider apple mentioned in the book and enquiries with my favourite fruit tree nursery, Bernwode Fruit Trees had me ordering one on m111 root-stock. (The catalogue from Bernwode is as good a read as most novels, with fascinating insights into the history and rediscovery particularly of hundreds of less usual varieties).
Another, more modern discovery (from the HortWeek Twitter feed) is Christmas Pippin a 'wilding' discovered similar and considered superior to Cox's Orange Pippin.
Another one for the shopping list, but a reminder to get on with some planned grafting after new year with my own wayside discoveries...
Back at home and at the field there has been sufficient rain finally not to worry too much about things getting a bit dry by the end of August.
After two weeks away, it'll be interesting to see the difference, although the most noticeable thing I guess will be less light in the evenings.
The last few days I've been considering local variety and appropriate flower introductions into the grassland at the field. The existing meadowsweet and cuckoo flower / lady's smock is a good start in terms of proliferation and I'm sure the buttercups aren't going to go away.
The recently levelled and rolled area of bare earth will be a blank canvas to see how things go.
On a matter of seeds coming up, I was pleasantly surprised to find from this year, some young oaks in the grass below the height of the tractor mower blades and some dog-rose seedlings doing pretty well along the north roadside fence.
Meanwhile, the orchard planting layout so far (6 metres between trees):
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| From Orchard |
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