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Acres of apples and pears

thekonztranataDY63b4YythekonztranataDY63b4Yy Posts: 2
in Fruit & veg
We have recently acquired some land - around 6 to 8 acres - of cider apples and pears. Otger than the obvious make cider, what can we do with them? They obviously take a lot of caring for so it needs to make some financial sense! Thanks in advance :) 

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Welcome to the forum!  Not sure what else you could do with those particular varieties.  Maybe make arrangements to sell them to a local brewery?  
    Utah, USA.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    What did their previous owner do with them?  Maybe there’s a local cider press just waiting to hear from you? 🍻 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Making cider for sale will require additional investment in buildings and equipment so it may be more sensible to sell on the fruit to an established cider maker.  You would need to register with HMRC if you intend to make more than 7,000 litres a year and pay cider duty. There are additional rules if you make sparkling cider or add other ingredients to make flavoured ciders.
    Perhaps the previous owner rented out the land for sheep grazing to make orchard maintenance a bit easier. Has the land been neglected for years?

  • thekonztranataDY63b4YythekonztranataDY63b4Yy Posts: 2
    The orchard is in good enough nick. The trees need a bit of love but we've had sheep in there. Our concern is the tonnes of apples about to fall on the floor in a few months! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited July 2021
    Well, they'll not do any damage as long as the sheep aren't still there ... too many apples will give them serious collywobbles!  Some can be left to provide winter food for the wild birds and small mammals who will be very grateful ... others can be composted with other 'stuff'. 

    Or you can put an ad on Gumtree/Freecycle whatever alerting Cider and Perry makers in your area that these will shortly be available for collection ... at so much per tonne, FOC or for a donation to your favourite charity. 

    You might even find a local cider maker who is willing to see to the care of the trees, pruning etc, in exchange for the apples?  You need to be doing some networking in your locality. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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