The domesticated apple (as opposed to the wild crab apple) has its origins in the fruit forests of the Tien Shan (heavenly mountains) on the borders of western China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. 

Evolving there over countless millennia, the apple was then spread westward by bears, horses and man, being documented in Greek and Roman times.  It was probably brought to us by the Romans, although Celtic mythology may have us think otherwise.

Fast forward to today. Nature and the horticulturalists from the 18th to the early 20th century left us a legacy of apples with mouth-watering tastes to suit all palates. These cover the season from early August to the following April or May: Irish Peach, Beauty of Bath, Worcester Permain, Discovery, St Edmund’s Pippin, James Grieve, Lord Lambourne, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Egremont Russet, Ribston Pippin, Blenheim Orange, Ashmead’s Kernel, Rosemary Russet, Orleans Reinette, Laxton Superb, Kings Acre Pippin, Winston, Cornish Gilliflower, D’Arcy Spice, Sturmer Pippin to name but a few.
 
But today's main offers are of Braeburn, Gala, Pink lady, Jazz and Fiesta with the availability of Cox decreasing year on year.

As written as long ago as 1944, ‘…….the opportunity has been taken to recommend varieties to plant in fields and gardens……and these are very different things. You sell the one and the others should be so good that you would wish to eat them.’

Therein the difference: those grown today have mainly been bred abroad, thrive in warmer climates and are still largely grown abroad. They are more suitable for providing high yielding and reliable crops, more suitable for long-term storage thus fulfilling yearly contracts while maintaining crispness and flavour (and, arguably, still suit customers preferences).

But more are being grown here. This year, already, I would have been able to buy English Junami and Cripps Pink (stored), Discovery and Scrumptious (fresh from an independent store). In 2018 a new variety, English bred and grown for fresh eating, came to market, Sunburst. And trees of older varieties are readily available for the individual to grow and savour the best of English apples.

by Alan Caswell ...

September brings a change in season as autumn approaches, the leaves start to turn golden and the temperature starts to drop. There’s plenty to keep you busy in the garden this month.

Autumn is a fantastic time of year to plant your spring bulbs, feed your lawn or prepare for your winter vegetable planting. Buy spring bulbs and plant bulbs for colour at Christmas and spring, dead head roses as the plants will still give dead heads nutrients that could go into new flowers, give your lawn some tender loving care by raking, aerating and feeding with an autumn lawn fertiliser or its time to sow or lay new lawns.

As the temperature drops, it’s a good idea to protect border plants by mulching (organic mulches include formerly living material such as chopped leaves, straw, grass clippings, compost, wood chips, shredded bark, sawdust, pine needles, and even paper). It’s best to apply when the soil is damp or wet and make sure you weed first. It will help your soil from drying out, improve its texture and help protect the roots of tender plants such as dahlias or Verbena bonariensis (purpletop) from frost. A good two inch layer is best. There should always be room in your garden somewhere for a compost bin and don’t forget the woody materials too.

If you have violas, now is the time to take cuttings and start to bring those tender plants in from the garden. September is a great month for collecting seeds for next year now the flowers have gone over and the seed heads formed and dried. Extend the colour through to the end of the season with plants such as chrysanthemum, aster, daisy and sedum. You can also start to divide up large border perennials as the temperature cools to fills gaps next year. Don’t forget to water them in though.

Tomatoes and outdoor lettuce should be in abundance and the winter vegetables should really be coming into their own. Leeks, swede and parsnips should be almost ready to pull. Enjoy curly kale and cavolo nero for that first taste of delicious brassicas. Late crop potatoes should be out away from the slugs and the greenhouse prepared ready for autumn crops such as hardy lettuce and try a late crop of French beans. Make room in your greenhouse and pot up your parsley, mint and chives and they will keep growing over winter. Protect your fuchsias and pelargoniums and water sparingly over the winter months.

Lastly you must take time for your garden to bring you joy! Gardening and your garden can be a great help in ensuring that not just your physical but your mental health is looked after. Stop, look and listen to what is going on and just enjoy what you have created with the help of nature. Big or small, it doesn’t matter as long as you can enjoy what you have.                                       

Alan Caswell