Feature Articles | Orchard Notes

Stepover Apple Trees: Winter Pruning, Year Three

I’ve been shunning the standard advice and only winter pruning trained apple trees for three years now. Here’s how it’s going.

A recently published research paper has outlined some of the possible implications of climate change for orchard growers.

In the face of all the best advice to the contrary, I’ve decided to try growing a new apple variety or two from seed.

Here’s how I went about creating a ‘family’ apple tree of six varieties, using the rind grafting technique.

I’ve pruned two very different crab apples this year – here’s how I approached each one, and the results of the work.

Last year our fig tree was hit by a late frost. Every apical bud and fruitlet was killed. But that was far from the end of the story…

Feature image: a grafted family tree

The best laid plans of orchardists also gang aft a-gley, especially if you don’t think your clever ideas through properly…

This new book on orchard planning, establishment and management covers all the essential bases.

A winter walk leads to the discovery of not one but two new orchards, one on the site of a former kitchen garden.

Making medlar cheese and medlar jelly are great ways to get the best out of this unusual and tasty Autumn fruit. Here’s how.