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Stone me!This is THE year for fruit as far as I'm concerned. About five years ago we started our own mini-orchard with some great bare root fruit trees from a local fruit nursery. Then we added to them over the next year or two. Despite the fact

It's great. The canes on my autumn-fruiting rasperries are whipping around in the incredible wind we're having, but they're absolutely laden with fruit. It's amazing that the local bird population isn't all lined up underneath with their beaks open

It's not every year I manage it, but this year we were tipped the wink that a local chap had a good source of quality manure. And just in time to spread some around my fruit.A few years ago I had a huge trailer load of manure delivered, only

, so a gorgeous-looking plant that also produces fruit scores double points. Prunus spinosa is commonly known as blackthorn, and produces wonderful sloe berries in autumn that I use to make my sloe gin. I've still got a little left, but have made a

-tinged blossom - far prettier than many ornamental trees.It's a real delight to see fruit trees right now as they're breathtakingly beautiful. I can't help wondering why more people don't grow tree fruit. There is the misconception that it requires acres of space

'Hundreds and Thousands', and I was lucky enough to be given a trial pack of seeds. It's a funny variety, with low-growing plants covered with numerous marble-sized fruits. I grew one plant unsuccessfully in the greenhouse and many very successfully

of allowing un-ripened fruits to enjoy the ethylene gas given off by the over-ripe banana really does work!)Now I know I'm lucky to have my good-looking, super greenhouse, but the point is, that any greenhouse will help us to enjoy the luxury of tomatoes

The weather has been pretty grotty lately, and I've had to grab every possible opportunity to get out in the garden. I don't think I've ever been so far behind with sowing and planting fruit and vegetable crops. This time last year my courgettes