Carefully recorded information about the origins of the fruit varieties conserved in the British National Fruit Collection should help the French clean their own records from the few mistakes they contain. Continue reading
In September I attempted to stop hornets from eating our pears… with pebbles. The improvised solution worked rather well, without damaging the pears.
It is a good idea to put sheep in an orchard to graze and fertilize. Be aware that they love pears though.
Yesterday we attended the last arboriculture workshop by « Les Croqueurs de Pommes du Cantal » before the summer break. An opportunity to celebrate summer and a fruitful training season with a picnic.
When I visited a retired primary school teacher passionate about pear trees last week, I didn’t expect to find a hundred fruit trees so high up in the hills, on the remains of the largest volcano in Europe.
Removing excess fruit from apple and pear trees allows for a more consistent production, bigger and better fruit. It is carried out by gardeners who wish to intervene beyond the tree’s natural ways of doing it, and should be done on younger trees. 
Apples, pears and stone fruit such as plums and cherries are pruned at different times of year. Although many people don’t do it, it brings great benefits, and is quite an enjoyable activity.