AFTER a mixed growing year, the gardeners at Cotehele hope to enjoy a prolific apple harvest.

Those who headed over to the orchards on the National Trust estate for Apple Day on September 20 celebrated this year’s crop and shared in the tradition of apple-growing and cider-making.

‘It’s been a funny year weather-wise for growing,’ said Chris Groves, Cotehele’s senior gardener.

‘It’s normal in June for us to expect an apple tree to naturally drop its weakest fruits in what is called the “June drop” but this year, because of the dry conditions in early summer, the June drop continued through July, which made us concerned we’d end up with a low yield.

Luckily ‘the wet weather in August halted the fruits’ premature drop and it now looks like it will be a favourable year.

In fact Cotehele gardeners estimate the crop will be 11% better than average, compared to last year’s relatively poor yield at 44% below average.

‘Some September sunshine would be most welcome to fully ripen the fruit,’ added Chris.

During Apple Day the Cotehele team cranked up the restored Victorian cider press in the Mother Orchard.

Every hour on the hour they explained the cider press process as they ‘build the cheese’ — culminating in the ‘big squeeze’ to press the apples.

Throughout the day visitors were able to sip freshly-pressed apple juice and taste and compare different apple varieties grown in the West Country; there was also an orchard tour, apple training, pruning, disease and pest displays and a juice-mixing laboratory for children.