Orchards

Blackmoor Estate is one of only three remaining commercial apple growers in Hampshire. Blackmoor Orchards grow apples, pears and plums for many of the supermarkets on 250 acres of orchards. The cool climate and altitude in this part of Hampshire produces top quality English apples with full flavour and a crisp texture.

Blackmoor Orchards grow a wide variety of apples, pears, plums and cherries and some apricots and quinces. Major investment has been ongoing in replanting orchards with new varieties on modern ‘vineyard-style’ trellised orchards to meet rising demand for substituting imported apples with home grown produce.

Busy bees

Blackmoor Orchards is  currently involved in a research trial to provide valuable habitat for native bees and butterflies. A number of flower mixtures are being trialed to provide pollen and nectar – particularly in the periods before and after apple blossom – for bumblebees and solitary bees such as miner bees and mason bees. These bees provide a valuable pollination service and are up to 300 times more effective pollinators than honey bees.

Taking a bite out of climate change

Recently the estate has been investigating the carbon footprint of its apple production. William Wolmer, the Managing Director, was funded by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) as a ‘sector champion’ to explore climate change mitigation and adaption in the top fruit sector. Amongst other findings the study established that apples have a relatively lower carbon footprint than most other food items; that eating English apples in season (August to April) has a lower carbon footprint than imported alternatives; and that the industry is significantly reducing its carbon footprint by establishing new trellis orchards.

Click here to view a film featuring this research.

Blackmoor Orchards at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

Blackmoor provided Gala and Egremont Russet apple trees from our orchards for the Home Grown farmland landscape area of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in July 2010. The 20 year old russet trees and the young Gala were used to showcase British farming and horticulture and demonstrate the best of both traditional and modern trellis orchards to the visiting garden enthusiasts. More details...