And on his farm he grows some ORGANIC TOP FRUIT

Organic fruit orchards need several varieties to ensure pollination. Seven years ago I started planting a few apple trees as shelter for the chickens. Charlie and I like trees and planting soon got out of hand. At the last count I have about 4,000 trees. I have spent about £40,000 on my top fruit orchard so far.

Most of the organic apples are a modern Cox called 'RED PIPPIN'(also known as 'FIESTA'), which have produced their first saleable crop this year. In addition I have a few hundred 'BRAMLEY SEEDLINGS'.

In 2005 I sold about 8 tons of organic apples, most of which were 'FIESTA'. I hope for a larger crop of 'BRAMLEYS' in 2006; they produced a lot of growth in 2005, but little flower. I also had 1,000 bottles of Organic Apple Juice made from my apples, some of which I mixed with my Organic Raspberry Juice, producing a lovely pink drink called 'ROSIE'.

I also have other varieties of organic apples: 'EGREMONT RUSSETS', 'JAMES GRIEVE', 'DISCOVERY' and 'RED FALSTAFF'.

Whilst at the apple tree nursery I came across some pear trees, of course I had to have a few of these! Just one variety may not have been good for pollination, so I now have a young plot of 'COMICE', 'CONFERENCE' and 'CONCORDE' pears.

I like bottled plums and guess what - they had some nice plum trees at the apple tree nursery. I now have a couple of hundred organic plum trees including 'VICTORIA', 'CZAR', 'MAJORIES' and 'OULLINS'.

Who can resist a cherry? As in previous paragraphs………..I now have 100 modern dwarf cherry trees in a fruit cage.

Talking to my organic fruit trees seems to be a full time occupation - perhaps I need to see someone!!

For more information on Farmer Kit's organic top fruit including apples, pears, plums and cherries, or Organic Apple Juice or 'Rosie' contact Farmer Kit below.