D*mn GQT! Now I want a damson.

[smallblueplanet]

Was listening to GQT today and there was a bit about damsons...now I want to try and grow one. So...what variety and as I'm impatient can I get 2 yr old trees from anywhere? I think I'd like Shropshire Prune. Any thoughts any one?

[veggiechicken]

Here's one supplier but I'm sure there are others!
Shropshire Prune Damson Trees for Sale | Mail Order | Guaranteed

[veggiechicken]

There's another GQT questions here Always Read the Label: the Shropshire Prune Damson and BBC Gardeners' Question Time - Shropshire Prune Damson and Orangepippin and Keepers both sell it too.

[binley100]

I'v e just used some vouchers to order one from T&M ......It's a Damson Merryweather but I think they are only one year old.

[northepaul]

I have two shropshire prunes, no fruit yet (one is due next year as it will be 5) lovely healthy trees, bit prone to mealy bugs (might be down here though) and I have heard they tend to be biannial.

This is who I got mine from: Shropshire Damson Blackmoor Nurseries

By far the best nursery for trees.

(St Julien A)

[smallblueplanet]

From your link veggiechicken there's a link to a great website full of damson (and sloe & plum) info...

Damson Plums - Home

There's a 64 page guide to damsons with lots of links to: 'where to buy trees', ID, recipes, etc

Guide to damsons

[smallblueplanet]

This is very interesting too

How to grow Damsons: A guide to choosing, planting, training and looking after Damson trees

[BUFFS]

i found that scotsplantsdirect offer good plants at very good prices,so good luck with it....and i will be getting a merryweather damson as they have large fruit and are suited to this area,...and i am pining for that beautiful sharp taste,back to the days of the summer of love,when life was still optomistic and simple......

[veggiechicken]

..and i am pining for that beautiful sharp taste,back to the days of the summer of love,when life was still optomistic and simple......

I shan't ask - but it sounds delicious

[BUFFS]

compared to today it was an age of innocence,i would not like to be a youngster today,we got caught scrumping on one occasion,he didnt call the police,he made us pick the rest,then sent us off home with armsfuls of apples,plums and later, damsons,result was we kept an eye on the area,no tresspassers allowed and for 3 years we picked the fruit for him,a real genuine old gent,todays bosses could learn a lot from him,quietly spoken,and we hung on every word,he was incredibly funny with his one liners,and no blue humour..it was a simpler age...

[Pinfold Plotter]

I would love a damson too, but my plot is too exposed and we tend to get late frosts. I have to wait until I go down to my mums in Suffolk. Nothing quite like damson vodka to warm your cockles

[BUFFS]

well pinfold plotter,you at least get some summer down there,2010 since we saw more than the occasional day of sunshine and it just seems dark all year thesedays,it wasnt always like that,we used to get a couple of weeks good weather together til recently,but damsons grow here okay so just preparing the site now and it will be warmer next year...hopefully..to garden here you must have a sense of humour and the ability to sit there watching the rain..

[Gearoid]

I love damsons, it makes one of my favourite jams or yoghurt ingredients. I rarely see it in shops so it'd be well worth growing.

[BUFFS]

i have got my grandson into the old fruits,damsons etc,and he doesnt seem to want to spend as much time eating rubbish burgers and the like,some of his mates had never tasted rhubarb before,i couldnt believe it,but they love it covered in homemade custard,wii put a lock on the freezer at this rate,or none will be left...

[BUFFS]

damson tree arrives tomorrow and after a sunny day yesterday,everything is ready and prepared,told by a neighbour that there was a damson tree here before,til previous owner removed everything except the grass,so its restoration now,get it back as it was years ago and then it was THE garden of the area,old owner put tons of manure etc on it every autumn,and was the percy thrower of this area..thats one bit that wont be duplicated,we have some guys here gardening for 50 years+,they have forgotten more than i know.....