Working in the orchard in January

Update from Mark Allery

​The small orchard adjacent to Mare Barn has three dozen trees of traditional varieties, including some from West Sussex - Crawley Beauty and Egremont Russet - as well as other local counties. Traditional orchards are high in biodiversity and the trees, vegetation and hedges form a rich ecological habitat that can shelter many species in decline, but sadly have themselves become extremely scarce. The orchard at Mare Barn was planted in 2011 and despite squirrel attacks on the young trees almost all have survived and are growing well. 
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Traditional orchards don't need a lot of maintenance - it can be counter-productive to the diversity and habitat that it supports - and apart from some pruning, managing invasive weeds and trimming of the hedges - but not so hard as to remove the blackberry, sloe, haw and elder harvest which is legendary here - the orchard can be left largely to itself. Pruning is best carried out as early as possible after the new year whilst the tree is still dormant and before the buds swell. 
And so it was that on a frosty January morning - yes, hard to remember now I know, but we did have one -  a small but hardy group of volunteers met up in the orchard adjacent to Mare Barn to prune some of the trees, cut back the shelter and wildlife hedges and generally tidy up in preparation for the new season. 
Working in the orchard at the start of the year is an ancient tradition and often accompanied by some form of Waes Hael, now known as Wassail, or wishing good health to the trees. After a short introduction to the work for the day, we made an offering to the roots of the trees in the form of some cider - best thought of as cider vinegar - from the apples and then recited a traditional verse: 

Here's to thee old apple tree

Long may thee bud and long may thee bear

Hat's full, caps full,
bushel, bushel sacks full

and pockets full as well
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Huzzah, Huzzah!

Volunteering in the orchard
​Friday mornings - July to August

Mark Allery would welcome volunteers to help with the mowing of the main path and clearing out around the trees. The aim is to have mown and mulched around all of the trees by the time the apple season begins - generally late July with the Katy variety.

If you are planning to help please call Mark before hand to confirm he will be in the orchard on 07787 536035.
Thanks to Peter Searight for taking the pictures
If it works - then the orchard will prosper this year. But much depends upon the weather in April as the trees blossom and of course the health of the pollinators.

​As the fruit ripen from late July through to November, there is no particular time for harvest – we'll place a crate near the entrance with apples in to help yourself and all are welcome to the windfalls, but you have to be quick to compete with the wildlife in the orchard.
I've started mowing the main path, clearing out around the trees and. The aim is to have mown and mulched around all of the trees by  the time the apple season begins - generally late July with the Katy variety. As the season continues into November and possibly December (Howgate Wonder)  there is no specific harvest as there is for a commercial orchard.
Contact Us
​Please email: [email protected]