[Lynne]

Can anyone recomend a step over apple that I could grow at the allotment?

I can't plant a tree, but thought that in time I could edge my path with step overs (eating apples). I can't find out which are the nicest for eating though. I prefer apples that taste a bit like Braeburns, but would like an old, heritage type if possible.

[compostqueen]

Have a look on Deacons of Godshill (IOW) website  

I like Spartan eaters, very crunchy crisp sweet flesh  

[Weessy]

cool, I thought about doing the same thing, think it could be great, can't help with the variety though. Will be interested to see if people have any ideas or experience

[Kate and her Ducks]

I bought a step over from a garden centre called Scrumptious and it has fruited every year and is definately appropriately named.

[gimli]

sorry if i sound stupid but whats a step over

[Ygerna]

sorry if i sound stupid but whats a step over

Phew, I am so glad you asked, I was about to

[fallen angel]

sorry if i sound stupid but whats a step over

Phew, I am so glad you asked, I was about to

Me too  

Nicky xxx

[poultrygeist]

I think they grow very low so you can 'step over' them. But may well be very wrong ! :oops:  

Are they susceptible to being eaten by creepy-crawlies ?

Rob

[richyrich7]

Yeah Rob's, right they are basically a 1 tier espalier.  

[JulesJ]

We have a stepover Falstaff - in its third year. Haven't a clue how to prune it so the top shoots are about 6 foot tall now - no longer a stepover in that sense!

[muntjac]

We have a stepover Falstaff - in its third year. Haven't a clue how to prune it so the top shoots are about 6 foot tall now - no longer a stepover in that sense!

 cut them back by half or to fit your own purpose on the young growth ( spur pruning ) about 2 or 3 new buds from the base or stem that you want to shorten. or you can in fact train it now over wires taking the longest stems and turning them into a circle shape  and tying back with hemp twine or tree clips . these " circles " will form new buds and stems and you can cut them out if the tree gets to thick ,.alternativly take out the older branches and allow new stems to come on. this is cordon  training . putting new stems on wires at right angles is espalier you can do this with all the fruit trees such as pear ,plum cherry etc so long as you have a managable tree

[JulesJ]

Thanks for that - lots of food for thought.