As it is now August one of the most important jobs in our orchard in Llanblethian is checking on this years harvest to ensure we have enough crop and determine what fruit needs to be sourced elsewhere.
Pears
From looking at what we have available it’s going to be a terrific season for perry with a great selection of varieties to choose from. Some of my larger trees such as Butt have never fruited before and are covered this year. I can’t wait to see how the perry turns out 🙂
Butt is famous for the length of time needed between picking and pressing for the fruit to reach optimum ripeness. The old saying goes:
“Gather your Butts one year, mill them the next, and drink the year after.”
Fingers crossed it doesnt take that long!
Apples
Apples are noticeably down this year sadly with a large June drop due to the dry weather. A lot of the old varieties are biennial as well so last years big fruiters are having a break this year. Bittersweets are especially down so I will have to source more from my other orchards this year.
Photos of our orchard on 3rd August 2018
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- Gwhelog perry pear. One of the rare re discovered Welsh Perry Pear varieties. Drops end of August. Light and sharp.
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- Thorn perry. A wonderful sharp fruity variety that drops in September. My favourite variety!
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- Tom Putt. An old Somerset triple purpose apple (eating, cooking and cider). Large red apples with a good sharpness. Needs to be blended to make good cider
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- Barnet. A great perry pear variety. Not least because the fruit are masive so quick to pick saving my back!
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- Brandy perry pear. Makes a rich sharp brandy coloured perry. Drops mid October
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- Breakwells Seedling. A good monmouthshire variety. Small pretty yellow / red flushed and striped apples drop early September and rot very quickly. Must be pressed with some haste!
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- Piccadilly. A unique sharp cider variety that only grows in our orchard!
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- Pig Aderyn. My favourite Welsh variety from West Wales. Apples have a wonderful fruity character and make an exceptional cider.
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