New Trees

[Lardman]

All excited sitting here waiting for the nice man to deliver a few new fruit trees (a couple more apples and a plum) I'd like to be digging their planting holes but the ground is frozen solid for the first time this year Frustrating.

Im due some pears and a fig next week - things better have improved by then.

[veggiechicken]

What varieties, Lardman?

[Lardman]

Local apples Tupstone and Doddin, I like to keep the local varieties going if possible. But I've gone for a bluetit plum as my plum grafts this year all failed

Feels like forever since I ordered them

[Mrs Bee]

Hallo Lardman. Didn't know you were here.

Hope your new fruit trees bear fruit.

What do you plan to make with the fruit.....

Mincemeat
Apple and plums pies with or without a base.

[Lardman]

Im all over the place Mrs Bee, Im super stealthy me

Funny you should mention minced pies I knocked up some pastry this morning to finally make some using your mincemeat recipe - It's been sitting in the fridge maturing for what must be 2 years now, good job it's 90% booze

Im still trying to get my apple pie right nearly there, so close but just off a bit. My current plum supply comes from the yellow pershore's which are very nice but turn to puree when cooked limiting their pie usefulness.

mmmmm pie

[Mrs Bee]

Ooooooh, I am right chuffed that you are still using my mincemeat recipe.

I made some different this year, a peach and Amaretto, Amaretti one and a Pineapple and rum.

Topped the pineapple mince pies with a coconut frangipane. Haven't baked them yet as I do all the messy stuff and freeze them raw ready to pop in the oven as soon as they are needed.

Really having to fit everything in as we look after the 17 month old granddaughter 4 days a week. everything takes longer.

Think she is going to take after grandma in the cooking stakes. You should have seen her helping me make the Christmas cake.

If your plums go to mush in the pies you could try making a spiced Victoria sponge and then pop cut plums into the mixture, sprinkle with Demarara sugar and bake. Then serve with custard.

X X

[Mrs Bee]

I have a blindingly good recipe for fig tart when you get the fig planted and fruiting.

[happyhumph]

Shouldn't have read this post - I'm trying to eat healthier & now all I want is pie, crumble, or a really nice spiced apple cake I make

[Lardman]

Trees are safely tucked away the the greenhouse - a little smaller than last years but still good feathered maidens, plenty of roots and clean grafts. Feels wrong to cut them down to cordon them, I might plant them as is and graft a new tree to cordon next year.

I have a blindingly good recipe for fig tart when you get the fig planted and fruiting.

Ohhh topless Pie I don't get as much time to bake (or even cook) as I used to, but should I ever get any figs that'll have to be tried. 17 months and helping already, she'll have mastered puff pastry by the time she starts school

Shouldn't have read this post - I'm trying to eat healthier & now all I want is pie, crumble, or a really nice spiced apple cake I make

It's all fruit ... fruit is one of your 5 a day. It's positively healthy - or at least that's the way I look at it. You have to watch that Mrs Bee though, she'll add inches to your waistline

[Mrs Bee]

Apple is one of your 5 a day.

Apple fritters, pies tarts, crumbles, in mincemeat, apple crumble ice cream, apple and hazelnut caramel biscuit and cream stacks,

or cooked in a little butter and brown sugar and used to fill a cinnamon sponge cake with salted caramel and cream and mascarpone frosting. Did one of those for bonfire night in the shape of a bonfire.
And all things in moderation; a little of what you fancy does you good.

And if you are going to sin it is far better to sin with a really good recipe and good home made fare.

[Lardman]

The ground has finally thawed enough for me to heal them in

Decision time - do I dig up the last remain patch of what I laughingly refer to as lawn and put them there or cut the arms on my espaliers back a few feet and squish them in with the rest of the apples

[Mrs Bee]

Dig up the lawn and give them space to grow and produce.

If you get rid of the lawn it will save you the bother of mowing it.

[Mrs Bee]

Dig up the lawn and give them room to grow and produce.

You can save yourself the time on mowing the lawn too.

[Lardman]

You can save yourself the time on mowing the lawn too.

Who has time to mow lawns - I take the strimmer to it twice a year

You are of course right and I started to dig it out this afternoon, by the time I clear the bottom of the garden where they were supposed to be planted they'll be mature trees