Well, I have finally managed to get our new apple tree and plant it in the old dustbin that was lying around and doing nothing. With all the rain we have had lately, enough to make a new ocean, I thought the tree may never get planted. Thanks to a brief respite for about 7 nanoseconds a few days ago, we managed to get everything sorted and the tree now stands proudly in its new zinc-plated rotund home, better known as my old dustbin.
Jonathan
Apparently, it’s a ‘Jonathan’ variety, something which I have never heard of before. I remember growing up and we had a James Greaves apple tree in the back garden which my mother would use to make apple crumble pie. I might cut the top off it as that should make it a little bushier, well that’s what the chap said who gave us the tree.
Holes
I drilled a good few holes in the bottom of the dustbin and put some old broken clay pots in there to help with drainage. Then, following the grower’s instructions, I put in two bags of topsoil. That stuff weighs so much heavier than normal compost, I have no idea why. We planted the tree and rushed back into the house as the heavens opened up again. The wind got up too and I was initially worried that it might damage the tree. However, there was no need, all was well.
No More Rain!
All that remains is to see how the tree goes or should that be grows. I have no idea about fruit trees and I’ve been told I don’t really need to know much. I just hope it doesn’t keep raining every day until next June. There you are, that’s the final story of my trusty old dustbin. If you would like any information on ‘Jonathan Apples’ there’s some useful information here:
We once planted four fruit trees, but all that happened was our pet goat, who lived with two grown-up pet lambs, ate the bark, so my husband dug them up.
Victoria has just planted new trees; I wanted her to plant an apple tree, but unfortunately, she chose not.
I hope your tree does well. 🙂
Thank you, Sue. 😊
Mybe we must stick to growing plants- they love me🧚♂️
❣️
Thank you, Christine 😊
Good luck with it
Thank you, Derrick 😊
Happy apple growing, Trev!
Thank you. 😊
May you have many delicious apple pies to come!
Thank you, Peter. 😊
Congrats on finally getting a break in the weather 🙂
Thank you, June, albeit a brief one. 😊
I’ve never heard of James Greaves apples, but Jonathans are tasty. It would be quite a treat to have them right there in your own yard.
I’m looking forward to them, Susan. Thank you 😊
Hi Trev, tree looks good. I know you & your lovely wife Debbie have “green thumbs” for growing everything you two touch. Just let me know when the apples are ready for picking.
Thank you, Hope. I certainly will let you know. 😊
I can remember as a boy that people would complain that there were only Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples at the grocery store. After a while there started to be a much wider variety available. Jonathans are pretty popular, but my wife likes Galas. Good luck on your tree!
Thank you, Herb. Granny Smith is still popular here. 😊
I know nothing about fruit trees and not much about apples. Granny Smith’s I think were tart. Mum likes Cox’s oranges (why call an apple an orange?) We have Golden Delicious which often aren’t. I prefer pear or at this time of year peaches and nectarine. In my previous garden I discovered a plum tree which bore good fruit when the birds didn’t get there first and a grapevine, ditto. Never had any idea what to do for them so just let them get on with it. Best wishes to your Jonathan!
Thank you, Carolyn. Yes, strange name for an Apple, Cox’s oranges. Enough to confuse anyone. 😊
Trev, so glad to see that your trusty old dustbin is now home to an apple tree. May their friendship bear much fruit 😀
I hope you have lots of sweet-smelling apple blossoms and lots of delicious crumble pie, Trev! <3
Thank you, Cheryl. 😊
Thank you as always, Rosaliene. That’s very kind of you. 😊
See, it was vital to hold onto the old dustbin.
You’re right, Jim. It certainly has made it’s place as a valuable member of the garden. Thank you 😊
Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Thank you, Lauren. 😊
Wishing you well with your tree friend Jonathan, Trev. I planted two apple trees last year (too far into the summer, I fear), and lavished all the tree-love I had on them, but they gave up the ghost, or, well, chlorophyll.
Thank you, Mitch. Sorry to hear that your trees didn’t make it. 😊
Your little note of introduction has successfully made me laugh. I like it. Your mission is accomplished. 😊
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
Bom trabalho
Thank you 😊
How very cool that you planted an apple tree! I can’t wait to hear about your harvest when you have one!
Thank you, Lisa. I’m looking forward to it producing some delicious apples. 😊
Love the repurposing of the trash bin! Circular economy at its best:). And I grew up eating some Jonathan apples–I remember them having some tartness and my mom using them for apple pies.
Thank you. Ooh, apple pies, there’s something to look forward to. 😊
Dustbin it not – planting a tree is a gift!! Hopefully you will be eating crumble in. Few years!!
Thank you, Cecilia. I hope so too. 😊
🙂
Thank you 😊
Mission accomplished- now wait for the fruit 🍎- share once you are picking up the Red gorgeous apple 🍎:)
Thank you and I will. 😊
Cool 🙂
Thank you😊
I hope you get some lovely juicy apples from your tree in a year or two, I’ve never had any luck, they usually destroyed by possums 🙁 I clearly have no idea about fruit trees either. It’s supposed to be summer here in Tasmania, it snowed a little in the morning on Monday … and Tuesday, but it was also sunny at the same time and not too cold. Today was finally lovely and the wind we’ve had for weeks dropped out. Weird. Have a great day!
Thank you for your kind comments. We had an appalling summer too, non stop rain apart from a brief respite in June. 🙂
Where is Tasmania?(asking from South Africa🤔).
Was just tellin the author of this article; RSA weather is tropical, with sunny days mostly on the KZN(kwazulu Natal), but the apple just don’t grow
Tasmania is off the coast of Australia, I think. 😊
How is your Apple tree?
It seems ok, thank you. It’s heading towards its first winter and so far it is still looking healthy. Thank you for asking. 🙂
Our apple tree at home is about 10 years old now; but, the apples it produce are like disabled 😅😅
Ok 😊