Brogdale – National Fruit Collection 2012 review
Brogdale – National Fruit Collection 2012 review
Visit to Brogdale this year in early October, sunshine all day, but a bit blowy and chilly to start off with.
A weather station setup to monitor the weathers 24/7. Note the arm set at about 3ft from the ground. This monitors air temperature. If this goes below 0 Deg C then there is a possibility of frost damage to the flowers in spring.
A general view of the old collection of pears trees, all grafted onto Quince rootstocks. These are due to be dug up shortly, as they are all re grafted every 30 years or so. The ground will be left fallow or planted with a different species.
Again a general view of the old apple collection, which are in the process of being replanted with new.
A view of the new apple collection, note that they are being planted closer together, and on M9 semi dwarfing rootstocks.
Part of the old apple collection, noting that there are a lot of gaps, and trees dead or that are nearly dead. Could do with a good old clean up, and weedkiller applied. Many of the labels have disappeared or are broken.
The cherry collection is outstanding all being grown at present on Colt rootstocks, but word has it that they are probably going onto Gisela rootstocks.
I did not have time to checkout the hazel collection, which appears small, but the trees haves lots of catkins on them for next year.
Just a sneak preview of the grape collection.
Signs located at the plum collection. Its a bit strange that one sign says “Do not enter the Orchards. Chemical sprays are in use”. But when given the health and safety talk by the guide, no mention was made of this. The plums could do with being regrafted as many were in a sorry state.
Overall impressions.
1 – A bit expensive at £10 each, but OK if you take advantage that the ticket is valid for a year. Which is not much good if you come from over 200 miles away.
2 – I would certainly go on the free guided tour, which is very informative, especially if you ask the right questions.
3 – Cafe is not too badly priced and is of good quality, as is the fresh butchers and the cider shop. The plant sales are a bit expensive ie £30 for a potted 2 or 3 year old apple tree. Comparable with a plant centre maybe, but maybe not at the growers.
4 – The general fruit tree areas could do with a lot of tidying up, of dead trees, also the soil around trees not kept free of weeds. A lot of labels missing or broken.
5 – No location map of where individual varieties are grown. We were told that’s because of thefts, and the trees (apple at least) are grown in fruit maturity groups ie early, mid and late seasons. Its a bit frustrating especially if you want to find to photograph certain varieties.
6 – Plums definitely in a sorry state.