Adam's Apples

Sunday was the inaugural planting for the Boston Tree Party's plan to plant 100 heirloom apple trees in the Greater Boston area. As reported in the Boston Globe, the group planted a Golden Russet and a Grimes Golden on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston, in a ceremony presided over by New Hampshire orchardist Michael Phillips.

Orange Pippin is calling on fruit-tree growers worldwide to mark the dates of this year's blossom season in the UK-based web site's database. The effort to document blossoming takes on special significance in light of last year's unusual growing season and the threat of climate change. Join the database by opening a free account at Orange Pippin's Tree Register page.

Empire March is depressingly far from last October's harvest or July's early apples, but there are consolations. Compared to February, I found some prime Empires and Piñatas. No sign of lovely Lady Alice here this year, alas. But March is also where I empty out the bottom drawer of my refrigerator and have my last taste of fall. As previously related, for instance, I had my last Winter Banana on March 19. This spring cleaning invariably exhumes a few surprises, one or two apples I thought I was finished with.