Allotment holders in Black Country plant new orchard - with tree-mendous mix of cider, cooking and eating apples
A group of growers in Stourbridge will soon be enjoying the fruits of their labour after digging deep to plant a community orchard.
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Members of Roots Allotments in Stourbridge put in a mix of heritage and standard varieties of cooking, eating and cider apple trees at the back of the nine-acre site in Sugar Loaf Lane on Saturday.
Plot holders of all ages pulled together to plant 30 trees in the first phase of a plan to create a bountiful mixed fruit orchard beyond the allotment patches.
Patch manager Dave Cox said the fruit orchard was a four-year project to boost the biodiversity of the allotment site, bringing in insects and pollinators.
He said: "After the apple trees, we will add pear, plum and nut trees which will merge into our one-acre wild flower meadow. It will be gorgeous.
"Our members are helping plant the future of the allotment community and we will all be able to benefit from the food forest."
The planting event was a great team effort and proof that many hands make light work," added Dave, who shares his horticultural tips on social media as nodig_dave.
Among the members lending a hand was plot holder Tina Lower who was joined by her four-year-old granddaughter Paige Plant from Halesowen. They said the planting afternoon was good fun and were looking forward to watching the orchard blossom.
