I wouldn't be afraid to try Granny's in your area. They are pretty winter hardy and bloom pretty late. Others that are good bakers in your area (in order of popularity for our Farm Market customers) Cortland, Northern Spy, Winesap, Ida Red, Jonathan (Arkansas Black would be another good one for your...

Yes, Blacktwig is a real variety. Originated in the mid 1800's. The apple you describe does not sound like a Blacktwig to me. Blacktwig are green (or light yellow when ripe) with red stripes and VERY tart. I grew them until the mid 90's for cider making. They are probably the tartest apple I've ever...

Growing fruit trees is a lot of fun. but beware it can become addicting. To see if you are in the right area of SC to grow apples go to this site: http://www.pickyourown.org/PYO.php?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fhgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1350.htm To find growers in SC go to: http://www.orangepippin.com/orc...

I press cider from September through March for our Farm Market. Because of this, I change varieties as new apples are harvested. My experience lies more with "commercial" varieties. I never use less than 4 varieties in my blend. Each variety brings something different such as tartness, swe...

Protecting trees from deer on a large scale basis (500 acres) is almost impossible. My best tip is to keep rotating methods. Every spring we use something different. Soap works good (we like a commercial hotel soap called Cashmere Bouquet, the smellier the better) We buy cases of soap and drill hole...

I'm thinking right along with plumfan. Looking at the apical bud, pronounced lenticels, shape and russeting on the fruit, I'd guess Hosui Asian pears. They will bear in clusters like this if not thinned. I grow 5 different varieties of Asian pears and they each have a different taste. Their taste al...

What area of the world are you in...we may be able to help.

Has anyone grown Pink Lady in the North. I am very fond of this apple but have read where it might not have sufficient time to ripen. I do successfully grow Northern Spy here on my NE PA farm. Here in South Central PA we can mature them but most years we don't harvest until mid Nov. This Fall was v...