The new trees have arrived and are in the ground.

Over the past couple of weeks we have had a severe cold snap. The orchard floor had been caked the snow and the ice. Because of this I hadn't been able to take delivery of the new trees. The suppliers weren't able to take the trees out of the ground and I couldn't have planted them. Even if I had tried the ground would have been very cold and the risk of damage to the roots would have been high.

Anyway last weekend the new trees arrived and we got them planted. We had ordered 27 new fruit trees and had a couple more that need planting. It took a couple of hours lots of hard work a couple large Pizza's, some soft drinks sweets and 4 and a half people that were knackered but the end of it. The following day I planted a couple more trees with the kids and my parents. Now the orchard looks proper. Row after row of trees, and the place is beautiful. The new ones are just sapling, but so were the others only 2 years ago, now they look great.

I must admit that on finishing the work and wondering around, the feeling I had and still get when considering what the orchard will be like in a couple of years is amazing. I will have over a hundred trees in the space of 3,3 acres. Not all of them are fruit trees but the majority are.

My imagination of what I and my friends, family will be able to do in the orchard run wild. Summer afternoons, having picnics, playing tig, and other games. Then all of us working together to collect the fruit, using it sharing it, perhaps selling or giving it away to friends, family, colleagues and those that want local fresh produce perhaps even a small amount of cider, we shall see.

The local wildlife will benefit, if the kids want to camp, out watch the stars no problem.

I plan to put some additional leave mulch down, this afternoon, I have already loaded the trooper with bags and bags of leaves. In truth I just want to get down and see the trees again