Gravenstein apples are GO!!

February 15, 2013 Kate

The first apples to be picked in the season are the Gravenstein.

According to the Diggers Club website;

Malus domestica 'Gravenstein'

Sweet, tasty and delicious, this apple was first described in 1797. Eat them straight off the tree from February to March, or bottle for use in Winter and Spring. Fruiting Feb-Mar. Pollinated by Jonathan or Snow. (NB, Gravenstein is a triploid flower, so it will not provide viable pollen for other varieties).

Our 10 Gravenstein trees are part of our South orchard. We planted this orchard about seven years ago but because of droughts and floods and birds, this is the first year we've picked fruit from it.

To say we are excited is an mega understatement.

Apple farming was the first feather in our organic farming caps when we moved here 12 years ago. Since then we've added vegies and berries and eggs. But I like the apples the best. Apples are awesome, don't you think?

So after a few hours testing for ripeness, filling our crates, balancing them on our heads and juggling them, I reckon we're going to spend a fair share of this weekend eating them. As is, as pie, as crumble, cut up and twirly-whirlied. The Gravensteins don't have a great shelf life so I think we'll probably sell some and preserve some too.

Wohooooo we've got apples!!

Have an ace weekend folks wont you.
Are you up to anything special?

Big love xx