North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Caren Kirk <quirky@videotron.ca>]

Hello, I'm new to nafex so please forgive any errors of etiquette.  Somebody suggested that this is the best place for me to get excellent advice on fruit selection for my area so here goes:

 

I am a Brit living near St. Jerome, Quebec (AgCan Z4, USDA Z3) who is into edible gardening.  Last year I planted a Golden Russet and so far I'm very pleased with the results (although today has got me worried, -32degC this morning). I would like to add at least one other apple and possibly a pear or 2 dwarf (I am fairly restrained for space). Not worried about pollinators for the apples because my neighbours all have a variety of crabs.

 

I prefer apples of substantial or more complex flavour (like the golden russet).  I was thinking of something with Cox heritage, but obviously I am worried about a) hardiness and b) level of difficulty for backyard gardener.  Someone suggested a Holstein or a Blenheim Orange. I was wondering if anyone had any experience of these in my zone.

 

Also wouldn't mind a cooking apple.  Obviously Bramley is out of the question, I was wondering if Boskoop could work up here?

 

Other qualities that I am looking for in the apple trees would be early bearing, good winter storers, some level of disease resistance.

 

As for the pears, as I said, I am restricted in space so definitely looking for dwarf or semi-dwarf.  I'm not looking for the biggest crops ever, so something self-fruitful would work. Other than that, I am looking for the same type of criteria as the apples; quick to bear, good storage, less disease-prone. As far as taste goes, I am a Comice fan. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

To be clear, I am officially in AgCan Zone 4b, but I have had some success with certain Zone 5 plants. I am a bit of an experimenter, I am trying a Reliance peach and a Somerset grape too. I'll see how they survive the winter.

 

If anyone has any advice I would be very appreciative. Finally, if Claude from Quebec is out there, SVP repondez-moi.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Caren Kirk.