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Despite summer drought in my part of the East Midlands, my apple crop has been pretty good on most trees, but there’s just one problem. A much larger proportion of fruit than ever before has been pecked on the tree itself, resulting in small holes

Sometimes wildlife crosses the line between welcome resident and unwanted nuisance. Perhaps it's my own fault for providing temptation, but when you grow your own fruit there's always something tempting on offer.Blackbirds certainly have an instinct

If you want fast fruit then look no further than strawberries. From rather unpromising cold-stored runners, foliage will develop in days, flowers in weeks, with ripe fruit ready for picking in about two months.Commercially available strawberry

Over the years I've planted dozens of fruit trees, and while some have been productive, carrying delicious crops, others have been very disappointing. So, why the disappointment? It's usually because I've chosen a new variety without having tasted

fruits.Both greenhouse and garden are developing well, proving yet again just how much fresh produce can be grown in our gardens. And that's the aim of our Grow Yourself Healthy campaign, to show people how a little planning can turn their gardens

The health benefits of eating fresh fruit and vegetables are well documented, and our shopping baskets increasingly reflect our desire to eat a healthy diet. Food labels reiterate the '5-a-day' mantra, and influence our shopping choices

started blossoming last week, on 20 April – about three weeks later.Of course, things will catch-up (they always do) and after a very disappointing year for fruit in 2012, I've high hopes that things will be better this year.Why am I so optimistic? Well

qualities we enjoy.I have noticed punnets of soft fruit, like raspberries and strawberries, are labelled with their variety as well as the country of origin. When you’re looking for one in particular, you can then take your pick, but the choice is usually

of apple trees to swell, flushed with pink, before the pure white flowers burst open. As my main reason for growing apple trees is for their fruit, I'm keen that the trees produce abundant blossom, and also that there will be plenty of bees to enjoy it

the fruits this year are growing bigger than ever thanks to the generous supply of moisture available.Unlike some fruits that all ripen together, blackberries ripen over several weeks. With so many brilliant red fruits still visible I know I can look forward