THE ENGLISH APPLE MAN - IS, ONE YEAR OLD TODAY!!!!!!!!!
Summer pruning apple trees.
The objective of summer pruning is twofold; primarily to let light into the fruit within the tree, increasing red colouration and enhancing fruit bud quality within the tree for next year!
The timing of summer pruning is important; once the terminal bud has formed; indicating annual vegetative growth has stopped for the season, we can make a start.
Remember, the objective is to allow more light into the tree, NOT, to carry out early winter pruning. It is vital not to remove young growth needed for replacement branches in the year ahead.
Only a few stronger upright shoots will need removing to allow sufficient light penetration. One year shoots on the central leader should not be removed as these may be needed for new branches.
The pictures below show terminal bud formation, fruit bud formation, summer pruning cuts made just above the fruit; it is important not to get to close to the fruit, or it may become dislodged in the process, and finally fruit exposed to the sun by removing just two upright shoots. With approximately 4 weeks to harvest these 'greenish' Cox will now develop good colour!
2010 SEASON UNDERWAY
The first Discovery are being picked; Supermarkets will be stocking Discovery by the end of next week. Supplies will bulk up quickly from W/C 23 August.
The fruit looks very attractive and I am looking forward to 'sinking my teeth' into the first of our new season apples!
A taste for English Wine!
This week the EAM joined a group of friends for a visit to Biddenden Vineyard in West Kent. We were fortunate to be guided on a tour around the vineyard and winery by grower Julian Barnes who gave us an eloquent appraisal of how back in 1969 his family history of apple growing changed direction, driven by import competition, into a life changing course of wine production; 'all the more amusing' as the prime threat at that time was imported 'French Golden Delicious' fancy fighting back by adopting a truly French enterprise!
The business has grown considerably over the years and now produces many fine 'award winning' wines. An important part of the production in the winery is utilization of the equipment for the secondary Cider and Apple Juice production. This part of the enterprise enables local growers a valuable outlet for their juice quality fruit and widens Biddenden Vineyard's product portfolio.
British Fruit Festival - advance warning!
The National Fruit Show, held each October at Detling in West Kent is the trade showpiece for English Apples & Pears; following a tradition going back over the last seven years, the show fruit will again be made available to the consumer via 'The British Fruit Festival' held this year at East Malling Research, near Maidstone, Kent on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th October.
This event (free admission) has become very popular and allows consumers the opportunity to view the cream of English Apples & Pears along with many other Kentish fruit products; taste and purchase English fruit at it's very best.
The EAM who is actively involved in this event and will be 'on duty' throughout the weekend, will keep readers up to date with plans and progress over the coming weeks.
Next week I will report on two farm walks and the up to date prospects for our English Apple & Pear crop.
Take care
The English Apple Man