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Celebrating the great British apple


Apple Days celebrated by nurseries and the British Plant Nursery Guide all over the country reflect just how important apples and their history is to our gardens


apple orchards. The campaign is a collaboration between British Plant Nursery Guide members, Thompson & Morgan, David Bellamy, the National Trust and Coppella Fruit Juices.


The benefits of growing your own apples are many; the satisfaction of growing your own food, more choice of varieties to suit your tastes and needs, saving money on grocery bills, reducing your carbon foot print, as well as health benefits. The old phrase ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ has proven to be right as scientists have found that eating apples helps to reduce blood cholesterol, improve bowel function, reduce risk of stroke, prostate cancer, Type II diabetes and asthma due to the fibre and phytonutrients present in the apples.


Don’s Delight - a Devon apple which has become a real West Country favourite


The tradition of growing apple trees is celebrated in the annual Apple Day events in October and this year members of the British Plant Nursery Guide, the new website dedicated to quality British nurseries, have joined forces to run a range of talks by experts, tasting sessions and children’s events to encourage more people to grow their own fruit, especially some of the old varieties.


By attending an event at one of the members’ nurseries people can get expert advice to help even the most inexperienced gardener choose the right trees for their situation and size of plot. The trend for heritage varieties is on the up but which ones are right for your garden? In fact there are 2,300 British cultivars of dessert and cooking apple varieties to choose from. Experts will be on hand to offer advice on choosing not only the right tree and right rootstock but also help with advice on pollinating so you can enjoy bumper crops for years to come.


Although in recent years most supermarkets are now stocking a range of British apples, the sales are still outnumbered by imported apples. So members’ nurseries are helping the campaign to ‘Plant and Protect’ which urges more people to grow British apple trees to preserve them for the next generation, following a decline in British


Further afield


In Cornwall, at the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel, there will be special events between Monday 17th and Sunday 23rd


October October, with apple-based menus in the


café, a lecture lunch and an Apple Fun Day on Saturday 22nd


October with a colouring competition, apple bobbing,


an apple treasure trail and lots more activities for children. Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Cott Road, Lostwithiel PL22 0HW. Telephone: 01208 872668.


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Apple Day was founded by Common Ground back in 1990 to be both a celebration and a


demonstration of the variety we are in danger of losing – not simply in apples, but the richness and diversity of landscape, place, ecology and culture too. 21st


October,


Apple Day, has become a national event which celebrates our rare traditional orchards and our rich apple heritage.


Members of the British Plant Nursery Guide around the country are participating in various Apple Day events, including Thornhayes Nursery near Cullompton in Devon, where tree expert Kevin Croucher will be giving a talk and tastings at the nursery on Thursday 13th


October. The 33-


acre tree nursery offers an excellent range of apples and other fruit trees and with Kevin’s expertise you will be able to choose the right tree for your situation and needs. The afternoon runs from 2pm until 4pm, but visitors are welcome to arrive at 1.30pm for refreshments. The charge is £12 per person, and with limited spaces booking is essential on 01884 266746.


Kevin is also giving a talk on Sunday 9th October at RHS


Rosemoor as part of their Apple Day celebrations. For more information go to www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/ Rosemoor or telephone 01805 626800.


Country Gardener


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