apples or nuts

[nemo]

i am sorry about hogging the forum but i need advice my garden is a bit open i don't think apples will fruit because the blossoms could be blown away by wind would hazelnuts or cobnuts be more suited to my site or do they both need similar conditions
regards nemo

[Johnboy]

Hi Nemo,
I assume that frost is at a minimum in County Kerry
and that is what really affects Apple crops. You may have high winds but the blossom is a lot tougher than you would imagine. It would take a wind of colossal proportions to literally blow the blossom away. Take a look at gardens in the neighbourhood and see what other gardens have growing. I am sure that Apples will appear quite profusely.
Hazelnuts are certainly something that you could grow in addition to Apples but Hazelnuts rely on the wind for pollination and sometimes a strong wind actually blows the pollen away from the intended target.
I grow Filberts here, which are a superior Hazelnut, and generally end up with about 50lbs each year.
There are some even better producers than Filberts that have appeared in the catalogues in recent years.
This is if the blurb is to be believed.
I think there are very few areas in the UK or ROI that would be a no no for Apples.
Have a good look about your area because that should inform you better than I or anybody on the forum ever can.
JB.

[Geoff]

I would think the chances of having soft, damp and acidic ground is the greater danger to apples. If you have soil with a bit of body rather than high organic content you should be fine. I guess whatever it will be acidic so you will need an annual lime dressing to keep bitter pit away. I only learnt this a few years ago and as my soil is acid I have been liming ever since. This year there is no sign of it in the windfalls we have used so far out of the 30 Kg or so of Lanes Prince Albert we have harvested and they have usually had some.

[nemo]

thanks for your replies.very few in my area grow anything at all.i think i will have a go at apples and nuts,i might even start a trend

[Geoff]

Which part of Kerry are you in, I have friends I visit near Killorglin?

[oldherbaceous]

And i have relations in Brosna.

[nemo]

hello i live in a small village on the skellig ring called portmagee.its near cahersiveen

[Gerry]

Lovely place Nemo. I have been to Valentia Island several times on Lifeboat buisness. I live in Courtmacsherry Co. Cork.
Best regards,
Gerry.

[Geoff]

Isn't that where I set off from on one of Des Lavelle's boat trips to the Skelligs? Fantastic day out, never to be forgotten. I can watch gannets all day so the trip past Small Skellig was enjoyable enough even without Skellig Michael. My wife didn't like the path up Skellig Michael so she watched the puffins half way up while my son and I climbed to the amazing monastery. Beat Valencia's dinosaur footprints!
Yes you are seriously exposed there, have you been brave enough to plant some trees?

[PLUMPUDDING]

I just wondered if you have room to put in something tough and fast growing to make a wind break and then try some apples in the lea of this?