[Rach]

Hi there,

Does anybody know of any Organic Apple Orchards in Ireland,
North or South?
Prefereably run on a commercial basis, but those attached to old houses, state/national trust properties would also do.

I'm looking for somewhere to do a two week work placement in October.

Thanks,

Rach

[kinvarasustainableliving]

Hello there,
I help run a community garden that has planted up a walled in garden with 50 apple trees 4 years ago, there is also 20 other fruit trees and 6 original trees from 1870. I don't know what your interested in exactly, October is too early to prune, and most of the harvesting will be done by then, so the work would be weeding, strimming, some posts need re planting, and labels moved. The apples are all old Irish seed savers varieties, clearly labeled. etc. Have a look at the garden page on the website. This community garden could definitely do with a help out with the trees. It's on the site of a Youth Hostel, we could come to a deal re accommodation with the manager. Have you much orchard experience?

[Rach]

Thanks a million for getting back.

I'm a student on the Organic Horticulture course at the Organic centre in Leitrim.
As you said October is not great for the apples but it's the dates that have been assigned to us.
I've now got a placement for October with the National Trust in Fermanagh but I'd love to come over and work in your gorgeous Orchard, maybe in February. There would be more to do then and our course finishes in January.

As part of my apple project i get to look after 4 trees for the year (one of them seemed to get everything that was going, including some bad canker ).

On the course we've done summer & winter pruning, grafting - whip & tongue, chip bud, T-budding and general care and maintenance of the trees. I've also spent time maintaining the trees in Baldonnel Orchard in Dublin over the past few years.

Maybe I could contact you directly re. working with your apples.
Please contact by private message.

Also

If anyone else knows of some organically managed fruit orchards Apples/Plums/Pears etc., I'm always very grateful for any information.
Perhaps there's an old Orchard that needs restoring.
I can usually manage to drum up a few willing volunteers to help out.

Thanks again,

Rach

Moderator edit: For safety the posting of email address is not advised.

[Daithic]

I didn't want to start a new thread so I hopped on to this one to ask the question: Are there orchards in and around Dublin that you can go to to buy a couple of crates of apples?

I was also wondering about the Baldonnel orchards - it used to be the case you could go there and pay to pick your own fruit - does anybody know if this is still going on?

I had the idea to make some apple juice and cider and my apple trees are still to young to bear much fruit so thought I'd buy this year to get the equipment and my own experience started so next year I can use a combination of my own fruit and orchard bought.

[polly]

I would also love to buy a few crates of organic apples around Cork or Kerry arrea! Thanks

[Rach]

Hi there,

Sorry I'm only reading these messages now, don't have handy internet access.

You can still pick your own apples at Baldonnel, just call in (even when the gate is closed).

The apples are available from late August to November.
They don't use sprays or anything nasty.

Unfortunately South Dublin County Council put a compulsory purchase order on a lot of the orchard to make the Grange golf course.
So they ripped out a lot of the trees and have done some 'maintenance' on some of the trees with chainsaws and strimmers.
Removed shelter belts etc.

It made me cry when I saw what they had done to those lovely old apple trees.

But there is still lots of trees that are hanging on in there (if the council don't get their way!)

Best of luck,

Rach

[Daithic]

[blue-jay]

Hi there,

I saw a few of you mention that there is a place to go apple picking in baldonnel orchard? I'm really interested in going, but I can't find information about it anywhere on the Internet! If anyone could help me out I'd be very grateful! If you can give me directions, a number, or just post a link that would be fab!

Thanks a mill!

Kel