Apple tree kaput

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26 years ago, after I had had an op on my eye which left me with wide double vision, and not knowing what to do with myself, I decided to plant 4 Minarette apple trees in my front garden, to add colour to the street. I put two in the ground, and two on the concrete edge by the front windowsill. But having no anchorage (earth) devised a plan to (a) get a small bucket (b) get some concrete (dry), mix the concrete, and © wrap the trunk of the Fiesta apple trees with lots of plastic, to prevent lime from touching them. let this set, then gently planted them.
This year, after a heavy aphid infestation last year, I found that one of the trees had definitely died. Quite sad about this, I determined to buy another one, so removed the old tree, took out all the old comost, washed the tub and ordered another tree which will be coming in November. On removing the old compost, I came upon the concreted bucket and the concreted smaller bucket, which I had for the stake to support the tree. I tried to lift this out, but found it almost imposible; yet made myself do it, and it landed beside the tub with a thump. And there it sat, until my good window cleaner came along, and after explaining, he said “put it in that skip over there”…I am a bit cautious over using skips that other people have paid for but he just airily said “oh, I would not think anyone would mind helping an old lady”! ha ha ha, and he immediately hefted it into a nearby skip! So now I have 250 litres of compost standing by until November: I order them in 10l bags, which is all I want to lift, …! I am really looking forward to seeing it planted. This time, I shall place the tub offset to the concrete edging, half on the earth, so that a stake can penetrate the bottom and hold the tree in place.

• 1 Aug, 2017
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