The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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27 September 2015

Winning News

Katy apples
The 'Glove' Urn


A visit to this year's Stoke Bliss Ploughing Match, Homecraft & Produce Show meant a few wins for the folk at Pear Tree Cottage!  We did surprisingly well this year with a total of five first prizes, one second, three thirds and two highly commended.  It was super appropriate that we got a first for our desert apples as they were a variety called Katy and given to us by our neighbour: Rob Holloway who is so busy harvesting cider apples right now.  We also had a first for homemade wild cherry brandy.  The judges liked it so much, not only did they write very flattering comments, they drank so much from the bottle!  We were much amused how much had disappeared from the bottle!


Of course - this being Saturday, so much winning meant 3 visits to the show (to set up exhibits, return for lunch and return again to retrieve the exhibits!) which all took place between acquiring a new garden urn, digging out an entire border, lifting and dividing loads of Violets, Primroses, Agapanthus and some Gladiolus Cummunis.  Having done that, we put in a base and Chris manfully lugged the urn from the back of his truck and into a barrow (with a flat tyre!) and then onto its plinth.  It looks REALLY elegant and is even uplit at night by the light in situ.  When it was tipped up out fell a pair of gloves in the old compost - hence its name!

Check out the level!!!





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