The science (and sometimes the snake-oil) can run deep when it comes to fruit tree pollination. You could read endless books and research studies on how to optimise your orchard with a diversity of cross-pollinators to achieve a bumper crop. For most growers, it’s actually pretty straightforward to get the right results. This guide should… Continue reading A guide to fruit tree pollination
Author: Ashridge Support
Recipe: Morello cherry cheesecake
This recipe adds fresh (or carefully defrosted) morello cherries to give bite to a luscious cheesecake (all with a drizzle of chocolate, of course). Ingredients (serves 2) For the base For the filling Method
Our favourite Christmas evergreens
The Christmas Tree For some Christmas is not Christmas without a Christmas tree (real or fake) but when did it all start and why? A matter of Germanic fashion… The first use of Christmas trees as they’re known today dates back to the 1500s. Some claim the tree originated in Germany in the mid… Continue reading Our favourite Christmas evergreens
Freezing weather & bareroot plants
Most of the damage caused to bareroot plants in cold, freezing conditions is to the delicate roots themselves. The roots are fine, fibrous structures with a high water content: moving them, or even the slightest touch whilst frozen, can cause damage. Almost all of a shrub or a tree’s energy reserves are stored in the… Continue reading Freezing weather & bareroot plants
Preserved Pears Recipe for Christmas
“I love being given homemade produce as a gift for Christmas, and so decided to have a go myself! Sadly, our fruit trees underperformed this year due to the terrible summer, but I did manage to find enough pears (Conference and Doyenne du Comice) to produce a few jars of preserved pears.” “This is an easy… Continue reading Preserved Pears Recipe for Christmas
Friendly fungi facts
Rootgrow mycorrhizae are fungi that coexist in the soil with plant root systems. They have a symbiotic relationship in which the fungi provide the host with additional water and nutrient in exchange for the plant’s waste products (mainly starches) that the fungi require to grow. Mycorrhizae grow vastly more rapidly than roots and so they can… Continue reading Friendly fungi facts
Best medlar jelly recipe
Well made medlar jelly is a true delight. It is beautiful to look at: amber with pink highlights and very glossy. And medlar jelly is joyous to taste; some say it is like sweet cider infused with cinnamon and a touch of allspice. Whatever your adjectives it is utterly delicious, wondrously fragrant and gives a… Continue reading Best medlar jelly recipe
Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad Recipe
Having eaten my fair share of mince pies and all the other heavy foods associated with Christmas, I long for something light and fresh in January. Pears and walnuts make great partners in a salad and with a cheese dressing, peppery rocket leaves, spinach and watercress the combination is delicious. We always seem to have… Continue reading Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad Recipe
Homemade Plum Chutney Recipe
Plum chutney can be made with plums or damsons and it’s a good way of using up damaged or misshapen sweet plums. If a plum is bruised, still put it all in – it makes no difference once it’s cooked. Stoning the Plums: The easy way to do this is to simmer them in a… Continue reading Homemade Plum Chutney Recipe
Brutting Hazel to Get More Nuts!
Brutting is a really simple technique to make your hazel or cobnut trees produce more nuts. It is done in August. You can do this on any type of hazel, cobnut or purple hazel. All you do is snap (but don’t break off) the ends of all the new shoots that were made this year.… Continue reading Brutting Hazel to Get More Nuts!