Whin Hill
Cider
Cider
Our orchard is at Stanhoe, 10 miles SW of Wells. We have 10 acres of cider apple trees and a further 3 acres of apples suitable for juicing. The 8 varieties of cider apples we grow are listed below. In addition we have 153 perry pear trees and a dozen old Norfolk varieties for fun.
The trees are planted at a low density of 110 to the acre on vigorous rootstocks so will produce an orchard halfway between the old standard orchards and a modern bush orchard. Now 14 years old the trees are cropping heavily.
We practice a low input management regime, the cider apples receive at most one insecticide spray a year and up to 2 fungicide sprays. The juice apples do receive up to 6 sprays against scab. We have now allowed the grass to grow up to the trees, removing the need for a weedkiller strip. The grass in the orchard is unfertilised
We practice a low input management regime, the cider apples receive at most one insecticide spray a year and up to 2 fungicide sprays. The juice apples do receive up to 6 sprays against scab. We have now allowed the grass to grow up to the trees, removing the need for a weedkiller strip. The grass in the orchard is unfertilised
A Row of Browns Apple in September
Bumble Bee on a Michelin Flower
Cider Apple Variety
Description
Dabinett
Late maturing high quality bittersweet
Michelin
Average bittersweet, green
Ashton Bitter
Bittersweet, attractive orange flushed red
White Jersey
Early bittersweet, small and yellow
Browns Apple
Large red sharp apple
Major
Vigorous, aromatic, quality bittersweet
Ellis Bitter
Large red bittersweet
Kingston Black
Dark red bittersharp, most famous cider apple