Orchard Work – Orchard Notes

On Winter-Proofing Apples, 1820s style

When winter came in 19th century America, it was out with the thin linen cloths to protect the fruit still on the trees.

As this 1915 ad shows, when it comes to useful orchard equipment, some ideas and designs never go out of date.

Feature image - Cordon Planting - trees planted

It’s always a good day when you get to plant new apple trees.

A few chilly images of the Apprentice House orchard at Quarry Bank Mill in Styal.

Another round up of videos, this time explaining the best way to cut and store scion wood for grafting.

Top fruit harvest season is here, so it’s time for a guide to picking apples and pears the safe and careful way.

There are a few of the usual problems to keep an eye on in the orchard this year.

Fruit thinning is an essential operation to carry out to improve your chances of better quality fruit this year and more fruit buds next year.

A grey but dry and hugely enjoyable Sunday afternoon was well spent on helping to finish off this year’s winter pruning work.

Here’s how I went about the first phase of restorative pruning on a mature apple three that has been sadly neglected for a few years.