Apples

James Grieve, Cox’s Orange Pippin and Elstar

About our Apples

Varieties of apple trees on the Fruit Route include James Grieve, Cox’s Orange Pippin and Elstar.

Apples usually produce blossom in April/May and grow fruit over summer. They are usually ready for harvesting in Oldham from mid-September to October, depending on the type of apple and growing conditions.

However, even the same tree will not be ready to harvest from at the exact same time each year as it depends on how warm or cold the spring weather was.

James Grieve

A great tasting dual purpose apple that’s easy to grow Green with red streaks and juicy, cream coloured flesh. In early September the apples have a perfect sharpness for cooking and hold their shape well. Leave them on the tree and they’ll sweeten later in the month – perfect for eating fresh!

Cox’s Orange Pippin
A British classic since 1825, Cox’s is widely regarded as having the best flavour of any dessert apple, with connoisseurs detecting notes of pear, melon, orange and mango in its complex taste. Cox’s makes great juices and work well in pies and crumbles. Mid-season harvest – pick your crop from September to October and store for up to a month

Elstar
Very crisp apple with an intense and sweet honey flavour. Perfect for eating fresh or cooking. Particularly good for apple sauces. popular for its reliable, large crops. Late harvest; Oct-Nov. Keeps until the end of the year

Picking Guidance

For our varieties, James Grieve apples are ready in early September, Cox’s Orange Pippins ripen mid-September, and Elstars are best picked from late September into October.

Check if an apple is ready to harvest by cupping it in your hand (with your palm not fingers to avoid bruising the fruit) and giving it a slight twist. If it comes away easily with the stalk but not with any more of the tree, it is ripe and ready to harvest.

Check out our Harvesting Tips for information on how to harvest fruits safely and responsibly.

Other Fruits

Blackberries

Blackberries

Common in hedgerows, blackberries ripen from August to October. Their sweet-tart flavour suits pies, jams and puddings, while providing fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants for seasonal health.

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Blackcurrants

Blackcurrants

Deep purple Ben Lomond blackcurrants are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Their tart flavour really comes through in jams, pies and juices, harvested from midsummer into August.

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Cherries

Cherries

These Large, dark-red Stella cherries are self-fertile, sweet and juicy. Harvested in late July, they’re wonderful eaten fresh, baked into delicious pies, or preserved for summer treats.

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Damson & Plums

Damson & Plums

Sweet plums and tart damsons on our route ripen in summer, perfect for eating fresh or cooking into jams, crumbles and gins. Both Damson & Plums offer heavy crops and rich flavour.

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Pear Conference

Pear Conference

Britain’s favourite pear, Conference produces reliable crops even in cooler, shadier spots. Its juicy, aromatic fruit ripens in September, delicious eaten fresh or cooked into desserts.

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Quince

Quince

These beautifully Golden quinces ripen in autumn with a sweet floral aroma. Though too hard to eat raw, they transform beautifully when cooked into jams, stews and jellies.

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Raspberries

Raspberries

Summer-fruiting Malling Jewel raspberries are vibrant red with a sharp-sweet flavour. Harvested in July, they’re perfect fresh, frozen, or cooked into jams, desserts and summer dishes.

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