by David Feather
Today, April 28th is designated Orchard Blossom Day but, sadly, we have no event scheduled for that Sunday in or related to our heritage orchard.
Celebration of orchards is only just beginning in England; it is something for us to think about for future years. Scotland is a little way ahead of us. Thus far we, the Friends of Southwick Country Park, have concentrated on keeping the Local Nature Reserve in good order. Threats like ash die-back and the spread of blackberry have to be dealt with.
Pictures taken in the reserve’s heritage orchard by regular visitors.
Header image: apple blossom ©Clive Knight (SCPLNR Aril 24)
Perhaps it is time to pause and celebrate what we have achieved with an Orchard Day event next year. You could, however, have an event of your own this year by taking a slow walk through the orchard and looking at the individual trees. Some are in good blossom at the moment and some are not so showy. The orchard is still relatively young and the trees are still growing. This Autumn we anticipate a much better harvest than we had in 2023, but it depends on how active our little friends the bees will have been, moving the pollen around.
It is a community orchard and it is our hope that our community will enjoy looking at it and tasting its produce in due course.
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 