Apple picking

[fub]

We had our annual apple picking event at a local orchard yesterday! Every Saturday in September, the orchard is open for people to pick their own - and while they sell the apples really cheap, they are even cheaper when you pick them yourself! And of course, apples fresh off the tree are delicious!
We were joined by friends B & J and their dog. We

Comments

[beauty_forashes]

Awesome! :D

I need to ask around here, if anyone has apple trees I can buy some from, you've inspired me.

[fub]

Why not plant one yourself? :)

[beauty_forashes]

I've thought about it, but I already have 2 trees in the garden now (a fig and a mulberry), and two more trees might be a little much. Apple trees have to be planted in pairs with 2 different types, since apple blossoms are self-sterile, i.e., they each need a different type of apple tree that blossoms at the same time to provide pollen. Plus, the types of apples I like best take at least ten years for the tree to start setting fruit. I'm not sure I have the patience, haha!

[fub]

At the orchard, they had trees with lots of non-edible, small apples interspersed to take care of the pollination. Apparently those trees produce lots of blossom, which helps to attract bees and with the pollination.

[beauty_forashes]

Yep, the orchards where I bought that sample box of apples earlier this year has those trees too. They sell the tiny apples for crafts and decoration projects people might do with them, but they're not edible, i.e., taste bad.