I have this old apple tree in my yard that I had trimmed and now it is producing beautiful apples. Does anybody know by the picture what kind of apple tree it is? I also would like to plant garlic. Any suggestions on how to do it? My other purchase is a green gage plum semi dwarf tree. Anything I should do to have plums next year. I feel so fortunate as I now have strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples and now a plum tree. Is there any other fruit tree I should plant in my large yard? Thank you!
Since, according to Wiki, there are over 7,500 cultivars of Apples, it could be difficult to say for sure which one is yours. But, is the name important? What is important it is producing apples you like. Enjoy and stop thinking about the name. As for Garlic my advice is to go to the Gibson Garden Club meeting and ask them. I grow Garlic (everybody does!), but, living in the area with different climate and probably different soil, I would feel irresponsible if I tried to tell you when to plant. Plum tree: You can't do much to force the tree to produce fruit. It will, when the time is right for it to produce. May need a cross-pollination, though, depending on the variety. Plant only what you like to eat and what you will be able use, regardless how large your yard is. Your plants will like to have a lot of room for themselves, without being overcrowded. Again, got to your Garden Club meeting to learn what you can grow successfully in Gibson. They meet 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm at the Frank West Hall, 1224 Chaster Road.
Members of the BC Fruit Testers Association will likely be available during the UBC Apple Festival to identify apples -- bring along a half-dozen, though, as they need to see the variability in the fruit.
I can't help you with the apple. As for the garlic... Drainage, drainage, drainage! I amend my soil with 1/3 sand 1/3 compost or manure and 1/3 good quality garden soil. They also love the sun. If you are looking for what varieties to plant may I suggest looking at westcoast seed. They have a good selection and NOW is the time to order, to plant in October. With regards to the plum I think if you got 2-3 plums on a newly planted tree you would be doing good. To help facilitate that I would do a little prune of your tree in the winter. Maybe take off just a little, never more than 1/3 of the tree. Good luck
Thanks for your info. I do belong to the Gibsons Garden Club and the Sechelt Botanical Gardens which we will be having our meetings soon. I am sure I will find somebody who can answer my question as to what type of apple it is. I do know that it is a hard apple and a bit tart. I asked at one of the garden centres and all I got was he thought the apple name started with a B? It is important and exciting to know the type of apple. This is the first time I have ever had an apple tree with real apples.
Garlic is a good companion plant to apple trees so plant nearby. Planting in october is ok however if conditions are mild they will have approx 20cm of growth before winter. I covered them with garden fabric just in case. Otherwise delay planting till November
