An Abundance of Apples

This year the autumn season has offered an abundance of fruits and nuts. We've gathered hazel nuts, acorns and crab apples from several locations near to us here in southern Cumbria, and have planted them, both in pots and in various protected spots throughout the landscape, hoping to have seedlings arise in the spring.  

In September we came across a local organic Community Orchard, filled with an incredible selection of apple trees, but also plums, damsons and quince. We were so very grateful to return home with our pockets filled - we baked two beautiful apple crumbles with our bounty. Surely every community should invest in creating orchards and other communal edible landscapes - what an abundant, healthy world this could be if such a simple practice was adopted by all.

 

Yesterday, out on a walk across from the cottage, we found two wild crab apple trees growing amidst the rocks and scrub grasses, their pale green apples littering the earth below them, enriching the soil and offering an abundance of food for wildlife. 

Planting as many edible native trees and shrubs as possible, especially here in this very much deforested landscape, is one of our passions. We can only hope the seedlings will survive the harsh winds and sheep-grazing during their first few years of growth - and then be able to seed themselves in the future. 

Wild Apple Tree, Cumbria