Subject: [NAFEX] third apple for backyard orchard?
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 13:58:17 -0400 (EDT)
Hi All,
I have been planning a backyard orchard for years,
and this year I finally bought a house, so it's time
to make it happen.
I have room for 5-6 semi-dwarf trees, but I am thinking
about starting with just three this year. I am ordering
now for planting next spring.
I have been looking at Cummins Nursery, since they have
many of the varieties I want on the rootstocks that will
give me the size I want (M26, G30, that ballpark).
I have decided on two of the varieties I want to grow,
but I am stuck on the third, which is why I am writing to
ask for suggestions. What I have so far is William's Pride
for early eating apples and Golden Russett for late cider.
For the third tree I was thinking about Mutsu, because it
is midseason, green, and I like them. But they are getting to
be common, and I would rather grow something I couldn't more
easily buy.
Here are the criteria I am thinking about, in decreasing
order of importance:
1) Good tasting eating apple.
2) Disease resistant would be good, since I plan to do MINIMAL
spraying.
3) Midseason maturity would be good but not necessary.
4) Something a little off the beaten path would be good.
A heritage variety would be great as long as it doesn't
violate criterion #1
5) They don't have to be pretty.
6) They don't have to be super sweet -- I like a tart apple, too.
So, there it is. What do you think?
Thanks, NAFEXers!
Allen
p.s. I am tempted to plant Esopus Spitzenberg because
I really like to say "Esopus Spitzenberg". Try it,
you'll see what I mean:
"Hey, what kind of apple tree is that?"
"Why, that's an Esopus Spitzenberg!"
[NAFEX] third apple for backyard orchard?,
Allen B. Downey, 07/10/2004