An organic fresh produce farm is increasing its apple production.
The planting of 8,000 new apple trees is well underway at Chegworth Valley, with the farm, which is fully certified organic, extending its existing 60 acres of orchards in order to keep up with increasing demand for its organic fruit and farm pressed apple juices.
Situated just over a mile from Leeds Castle, on land which was formally the dairy for the Castle, Chegworth Valley has been growing apples for over 30 years.
Tree planting began in early December, and will continue through January and February, eventually covering an additional six acres.
Best-selling varieties including Cox, Braeburn and Russet have been selected to reflect the continued demand, as well as less well-known varieties Boskoop Rouge, Galmac and a variety newly bred by Kent-based JR Breach, Cheerful Gold.
The trees will take around three years before producing their first small crop, and up to five years before a larger crop is produced.
Before this time much of the fruit will be pressed for Chegworth’s award winning range of fruit juices.
All produce from the farm, including apples, is sold direct through Chegworth’s two London shops, as well as farmers’ markets throughout London and Kent. The farm also supplies their fresh fruit, vegetables and juices to selected independent outlets in south-east England.
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