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Picture This Photo Contest “Abundant Harvest”

by philip@eastsidepatch.com on October 5, 2009

Here is my entry for
October’s “Abundant Harvest”

Picture This Photo Contest at

http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=8318

Crab Apples

‘Malus x robusta’ (Red Sentinel)


Crab apple.

One of the most ornamental crab apples, with pretty, pink-tinged, white flowers in late spring, followed by masses of glossy, round, cherry-red fruit. The fruits garland the branches for much of the winter as the bright green leaves turn shades of yellow and gold before falling.

Green Crab Aples

Here is the golden fruiting variety, (not my entry).

Malus x zumi (Golden Hornet)


These two trees were positioned back to back in no-man’s land in Powfoot, SW Scotland, they were completely stacked with sour, jelly making fruit.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • joco October 6, 2009, 2:44 am

    That is what I call abundant!
    And available in two colours, both in XXL

  • ESP October 6, 2009, 10:39 am

    Hi joco.
    They were going strong…It is the most fruit I have ever seen on a tree, and I bet nobody will pick them! There was also a large cooking apple tree behind these that I did sneak an apple from.

  • Jenny October 6, 2009, 10:55 am

    I can see you are suffering from blogging withdrawal. Nice contest photo.

  • ESP October 6, 2009, 11:02 am

    Haha!
    I hear it is a common illness, and it is spreading fast. I have had no contact with the outside world for the past two weeks, I have a lot to catch up on…including a staggering amount of weeding!
    Thanks Jenny.
    ESP.

  • Cheryl October 6, 2009, 5:19 pm

    What a delight to find you back to blogging this morning! Love the photos and the “teachings”. I too wonder how a thick layers of shells would work as mulch. Probably pretty good. Plus calcium. welcome home!

  • ESP October 6, 2009, 5:55 pm

    Hi Cheryl.
    Yes I am back! And it is good to be home.
    We had a really nice time in Scotland visiting all my family…it is a pity the time went so fast!
    The shells as pathways were really interesting, I saw this used in a couple of gardens around the area.
    Thanks Cheryl.
    ESP.

  • Germi October 6, 2009, 9:00 pm

    Oh! Gorgeous!
    And timely for me, too – I am about to post about a session of pear-picking I had with some friends, but the pear tree had NOTHING on these beauties! Talk about ripe for the picking!!! I want a crab apple tree – who cares about lemons and such!

    I am crossing my fingers for a win!

  • ESP October 6, 2009, 9:21 pm

    Hi Germi.
    These crabbies were really something, made me also want to plant some in those “odd”, out of the way places in the ESP, the places where crab apples always seem to thrive. I am having a bumper citrus year in the patch…lots of mexican limes and even more satsumas!

    I look forward to hearing about your pear-picking escapades.
    Fingers crossed…
    ESP.

  • Bob Pool October 6, 2009, 9:40 pm

    Not only do I think your photo is a beauty, I think your kids are about the cutest kids I’ve ever seen. As wet as it is “over there”, I thought there might be a problem with your little blond headed water bug.

    It looks like you had a great time. It sure is different than here. I had to get my wife to interpret a bunch of words on this post. I imagine it will take you a while to get back to talking Texan. I’m really enjoying your treatise of the trip.

    And speaking of trips and interpreting, why did you give my number to the Naboo for an emergency contact number? I can’t understand what the little heathins are saying. Tell them that no, I really don’t know if bamboo culms are eatable and no I don’t know where Philip keeps the “go juice” for the power tools. I think they thought I was lying. You better check the far reaches of the Patch, there may be some damage.

    I know you really enjoyed your self but it’s great having you back.

    • ESP October 7, 2009, 7:53 am

      Hi Bob, and thanks! It was great to stumble on these colorful crab trees.

      The little water bug was in his element, the rain, the puddles, the rock pools, every which-way he turned there was water, and where there is water he will be sure to be in it. We did have a good time though visiting with my family, they were really happy to see the wee ones, our youngest they had never met.

      Sorry, sorry, sorry, I had no idea the Naboo would take advantage of us being away and actually call you! I told the head interpreter to contact you if there was an emergency situation only…you know, like another Tahoe hitting the house, that sort of thing. I did find it odd that there was a small square hole cut into my shed door and the distinctive smell of two-stroke gasoline. I also noticed on my return that a single small culm of Giant Timer bamboo had been cut down, something is going on because the culm has been cut into three inch sections and neatly piled in a small clearing near my stock tank. Could the Namboo be preparing to make a raft and take to the high seas? Time will tell. I apologize for the tribe’s harassment since I have been gone Bob. And rest assured I will be having a quiet word in the Chief’s ear.

      It is good to be back.
      Thanks Bob.
      ESP.

  • Linda Lehmusvirta October 10, 2009, 6:35 pm

    Oh my gosh! Now I want one. That tree is absolutely gorgeous.

  • ESP October 10, 2009, 7:20 pm

    Isn’t it!

  • Gail October 10, 2009, 11:31 pm

    what beautiful pictures of the hobbits… apples too, but interesting and beautiful children. Of course I’m a tad biased.

    Thanks for letting us see an interesting trip perspective.

  • Rothschild Orchid October 11, 2009, 3:22 am

    Stunning photo’s. I’ve never tried crab apple jelly, what do you do with it?

    RO :o)

    • ESP October 11, 2009, 1:08 pm

      Hi RO.
      Thanks!
      I am afraid you are asking the wrong person…I have personally never made crab apple jelly, but I bet it is good and I bet you have to use copious amounts of sugar!
      What do you do with it? I would imagine eat it on toast / bread etc.
      ESP.

  • ESP October 11, 2009, 7:32 am

    Hi Gail.
    You are most definitely just a tad biased. Glad you liked the Scottish trip postings.
    Now…to get the mouse out of my bagpipes!
    ESP.

  • Christine October 11, 2009, 12:37 pm

    Thanks for the welcome…your photos are beautiful wow!
    Appears you had a wonderful trip to Scotland, such beautiful country..
    I have much to learn about blogs my goodness, I dont know where to start, but I am just gonna google for basic info and wordpress has some good info also…take care!

  • ESP October 11, 2009, 1:34 pm

    Hi Christine, and you are most welcome, always good to find a new blogger! What type of blog is Christabeanie’s going to be? I have recently moved over to hosting my own blog (this one), I know exactly how you feel, you will be zipping around the blogosphere in no time. Wordpress does offer really good support forums, If I can help with anything let me know. In the meantime good luck with your blog and your photography entry.
    ESP.

  • Picturescontest October 23, 2009, 11:58 pm

    Wow!!! great pictures contest.Really these are the stunning photos. That tree is absolutely gorgeous.

    • ESP October 24, 2009, 12:07 pm

      Hi , and thanks! The tree was amazing, so much color and in such a derelict and overgrown area.
      ESP.

  • Contest Photo November 21, 2009, 2:03 am

    The tree is absolutely gorgeous and natural. Thanks for the nice post.

    • ESP November 21, 2009, 10:14 am

      Thank you!