Crab Apple Question

[Kath]

Hi

Surprised to find a whole load of crab apples today. I didn't think they were ripe until autumn. They're really red. Are they good to pick now? :?:

Cheers :wave:

 

[Adi007]

Well, I'm not dead ... ):
Lovliest apple sauce I've ever had!!! :super:

 

[stuart f]

Hi Kath,acording to Ray Mears crab apples are a bit on the sour side just eaten as they are, but if you cook them they,re supposed be nice and sweet check out his book "Bushcraft". if they,re red i would imagine they would be ready,i suppose the best way to find out is have a bite and see but i,m guessing they,ll be quite tart to the taste.I have noticed that everything seems to be a bit early this year, i,ve found field mushrooms already up here and we don,t usually see them until september,i,m putting it down to the warm spell in the spring and then all this wet weather we,ve had of late.

 

[bushwacker bob]

yea they should be fine Kath.I believe 'crabs' have a shorter fruiting season cos they dont need so long to grow big.
The red cultivar is usually Malus John Downey

 

[bushwacker bob]

Stuart right, My hazel patch looks like they'll be ready in a couple of weeks! the crop seems to be large this year as well.
I've noticed a heavy crop of berries on the hawthorn and hollies this year as well. old wives tale= heavy winter

 

[Adi007]

I've noticed a heavy crop of berries on the hawthorn and hollies this year as well. old wives tale= heavy winter

Yes, it looks like it's going to be a good year for berries! :super:

 

[Kath]

Cheers guys. They tasted fine! :yumyum:

(Mind you I added a ton of sugar! )

 

[EdS]

Mix then up with cheap desert apple to make cider.

They give the required acidity and tannin - anyone ever tried a cider apple will know about the sourness of them.

 

[tomtom]

Yes, it looks like it's going to be a good year for berries! :super:

i agree, bu does anyone else think that a lot of things are a little earlie this year?

 

[jakunen]

Everything is screwed harvestingwise...
My sweetcorn and aubergines haven't even flowered yet and yet I'll be nicking the filberts from the railway station in a few weeks... :?:

 

[Ed]

Yeah it looks like the berries and nuts will be a little early this year.... I'll let you know come harvest time and I check my diaries ;-)

Ed