Adam's Apples

It is August and I do not need to be mucking about with apples from last year that are just (let's face it) not going to be very good now. I've already had some great (and fresh!) Pristine and Paula Red this month. There are other early apples about with more on the way. But McIntosh (left) is a fall icon, and Empire (right) is one of my go-to apples in the impoverished springtime. Supermarkets here have both of them today. So let's see which of these two old warhorses have fared better over the fall, winter, spring, and half of summer.

There is a charming antique Russian apple called Yellow Transparent, also called White Transparent, of surprising sophistication if you get good ones.  That's challenging as this early August variety is at peak for about 45 minutes. Almost nobody grows it these days, which is a shame, but there are two modern varieties that sort of fill the same niche.

Socially distanced farmers market, Arlington, July 21 When I started this blog twelve years ago last week , I had no idea where it would go or take me. In this uncertain and fearful time, that is more true than ever. To my readers, again: thank you, take care, take special care, and be well. And, watch this space.

APPLE DATABASE Feel like an apple? The National Gardening Association (U.S.) lists 1532 of them (as of this writing), with more added regularly.

LOVE THE ONES YOU'RE WITH Lemonade , above, is a right good apple, well balanced and eminently worth choosing . But the main reason I was glad to see this variety last month is geographic. My Lemonades grew in New Zealand and were picked in the spring. They are half a year fresher than the other apples in stores today. And, you can taste it.

A passing mention of this blog on the website of an obscure tech company has led to some very welcome attention. (Hi everyone! Check me out !) Alas, it has also brought comment spam in force. For the time being, I am moderating all comments here.

A cool spring has left the trees wearing their party finery as late as today. (Carlson Orchard, Harvard Massachusetts)