Staff from Yeo Valley planted an organic orchard

Orchard Planting

Monday 9th March 2020

The apple – we’re all very familiar with this staple fruit and many of us eat them regularly: Whether in a hearty comforting crumble, alongside our roast pork or simply as a healthy snack (1 a day will keep the doctor away after all). The apple is woven into the legends and history of the western counties of England, where the cider maker’s art is still revered, and the growing of apples is treated with the greatest respect.

Our friends at Octopus Energy love trees and have their own scheme to support the planting of them throughout the UK. We’re working with them to plant an orchard here in the valley, on the site of a lost orchard where only a couple of ancient trees remain.

Orchards have disappeared from the British landscape over the last 100 years, as imported apples have become more available and the demand for British apples has lessened. The trees in the orchard will not only absorb carbon and give out oxygen but will also support habitats for our wildlife – small birds, insects and voles to name a few.

We decided to get some of our staff out of the office on a very rainy Wednesday morning, to help plant the trees and get our orchard re-instated! They returned at lunchtime, ready for a hot cup of tea and just a little bit muddy!

As well as planting trees together, Octopus have also given us 10,000 fruit trees for Yeo customers to plant at home. To be in with a chance of winning your own young tree, or even to win the main prize of a brand new Telsa electric car, find out more about our competition here – https://octopusenergy.yeovalley.co.uk/

We’ll keep you updated on the progress of our new orchard as it matures. We can’t wait!

Comments on “Orchard Planting”

  • looks good

    alex on 28th April 2020 at 1:52 pm

  • The more trees the better including fruit trees should be planted

    Marguerite Hasted on 16th March 2020 at 9:47 am

  • Well done, all of you. You may have a bit muddy, and possibly a lot wet, but that was a good thing you did, Tearing up all those apple orchards was a huge mistake, and lord knows how many native varieties of apple we’ve lost for ever. You’re helping to preserve one of them, perhaps (the post doesn’t say what variety of apple these trees grow) – and that is something to be proud of.

    Peter Freeman on 14th March 2020 at 4:39 am

  • Dear Yeo Valley

    Apples are incredible. Please plant hectares of the following: Bramley cookers, Braeburns, Cox’s and Russets.Good luck withzthis great project.

    Anonymous on 12th March 2020 at 12:52 pm

  • Dear Yeo Valley.

    Apples are fantastic, especially braeburn, cox’s orange pippin bramley cookers and russet. Please plant hectares of all these!. İ love Yeo Valley yoghurt.Well done for all your family farming local british efforts..

    Rosemary Platt on 12th March 2020 at 12:41 pm

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