Weeding the Web

Apple Storage Racks

If you’re looking at a good apple harvest this year, you’ll need somewhere to store the crop.

Early apples tend to wrinkle and soften quite quickly. But apples that are ready around October generally store well. Wrapped in newspaper, on slatted trays to allow the air to circulate, and kept in the cool, some types last well into Spring.

Of course, you might find trays at the greengrocer’s, but they’re scarce now and you’re more likely to find cardboard boxes. You could make them yourself, if you had the time… Or you could have a look at www.selections.com, which has individual stackable trays, or five- and ten- drawer apple racks in pine.

For a much bigger outlay,www.crocus.co.uk has six- and ten-drawer apple racks in beech.

It’s certainly one way to add a bit of style to the harvest.

Cider Making without a Press

This is not a good year for apples. Not in my garden anyway. Last year a tree literally split its trunk under the weight of the harvest and this year the trees have taken the year off.

However, if you manage your apple trees better than I do and are wondering what to do with all the fruit, how about having a go at cider without a press?

At the rather eclectic Sutton Elms website, there are full instructions on how to make cider by putting apples in the freezer.

If you try it, let me know how it goes.