Though we are in February it is time to think ahead and prepare for the great fall harvest. It is the best time for pruning the branches on our apple trees and it makes the trees stronger to hold all the apples that we want to have this summer and fall. We have four different apple trees in our yard in Gotland. The most important for us is Stenkyrka, which is an old sort from Gotland. That tree will give us plenty of lovely apples in about half a year. Stenkyrka is also the apple of Gotland. Every part of Sweden has it own apple. Like this:
Blekinge: Melonäpple
• Bohuslän: Veseäpple
• Dalarna: Tunaäpple
• Dalsland: Oranie
• Gotland: Stenkyrke
• Gästrikland: Malmbergs Gylling
Stenkyrka is a small village in the north part of the island of Gotland and of course the apple is from there. But surely you can find it all over the island. Some people say that Stenkyrka is the most delicious apple in the world. I am sure someone from Gotland said this, but I agree.
As Lotta prunes the trees she does so meticulously. The goal is to be able to throw a hat up through the center. This ensures room for the new growth and plenty of sun for our wonderful apples.
