Wealthy

A few years ago, I picked up a couple of apple trees at a nursery in Peterborough - an Imperial Gala and some type of Mac I think. I didn't know anything about them and, in retrospect, should have researched them first but I figured that if they're selling them here, they must be fine for this zone and our conditions. Then again, what do I know. The Mac had apples the first year but there's been nothing since. The Imperial Gala has never bloomed. I think the Mac's problems are my fault - I planted it too low on a hill. I suspect the late spring chills settle in the gully and are probably killing any buds that may be forming. There are other apple trees growing wild nearby so there shouldn't be a problem with cross-pollination and the tree itself is healthy. I have no idea what's going on with the Gala - probably the wrong zone. But, these failures haven't dampened my desire to have backyard apples.

A year or so ago, I googled heirloom apples in Canada. Jackpot. I found a place near Uxbridge called Siloam Orchards. They have an unbelievable number of trees available, many - actually most - of which I've never heard of before. Dorito and I were in the area last year after a trip to Richter's Herbs and decided to find the place. We picked up some early apples - a variety called Uncle Cecil - played with that black lab of theirs and talked to them about trees. And that was that. Until now.

(You might want to sit down for this part - it's very exciting.)

Two weeks ago I ordered trees...apple trees...well, apple sticks really. Four foot tall apple sticks. Paul and Nolie picked them up last week. Only got lost once, I'm told. And what did we get? Well, the pickins' were slim this time of year but I did manage to get my hands on one each of a Baxter, Duchess, Golden Sweet, Richelieu, Wealthy and Yellow Transparent. Ever heard of them? Me neither but I'm smiling as I write this.

On Saturday, as the kids turned into superheroes and fought all those bad guys in the snow, we planted them - a good ten to twelve feet apart and on the crest of a hill. They're all considered very winter hardy and I've chosen what I hope is a good spot to help them along. We'll see. Hopefully those nasty east winds don't get them. Or the deer for that matter. And we wait. A year or two. And hope for blooms. And then some apples.

And, hey, if you're out this way in the springtime and you see a tall chick jumping up and down on the crest of the hill, with a grin as wide as the sea, you'll know the apple blossoms are out. And make sure you stop in. 'Cause I'd love to show you my apple trees.

~Liz


(Duchess apple picture courtesy of Apple Journal.com; apple sticks picture courtesy of me, out the back)