Kent Orchards (local fruits and cob nuts)
Like Herefordshire, Kent is known for producing local organic apples, pears, plums and cherries, through an abundance of fruit orchards. so help to protect orchards by supporting farm shops that sell local fruit, juice and cider.
Kent has so many orchards, simply due to the mild climate and fertile soil, a match made in heaven for growing fruit. Kent grows 90% of England’s cherries and 50% of its plum.
The other ‘county crop’ is Kentish cobnuts, a kind of hazelnut, with a sweet flavour. Unlike most nuts, these nutritious nuts are sold fresh, in season from late August to October. Some say they taste like a cross between coconut and citrus fruits.
For wildlife-friendly gardens, choose nontoxic humane slug/snail deterrents. If you share your life with animal friends, learn about pet-friendly gardens (many plants and mulches are unsafe). Know trees to avoid near horses (including yew, oak & sycamore).
Use fruit tree protectors and bags over netting (remove for pollination to let bees and other creatures to reach the flowers, or else no fruit will develop).
Keep apple chunks away from babies (choking hazards) and fruit pips/seeds/cores away from pets (due to natural cyanide). Ask permission before feeding to equines (too many cause colic). If given permission, feed cut up (cored) apple slicers from a flat palm, to prevent choking).
