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Johnson Apple Tree

Our New Apple Tree

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:

55 thoughts on “Our New Apple Tree”

  1. 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. ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. 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!

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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 ๐Ÿ™ 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!

    1. Where is Tasmania?(asking from South Africa๐Ÿค”).
      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

  8. Our apple tree at home is about 10 years old now; but, the apples it produce are like disabled ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…

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