An award-winning Isle of Wight nut farmer is celebrating competition success and his first almond harvest this month, but is asking Islanders for their help.
Earlier this month, Island nut farmer Mike King, of Stockbridge Nuttery in Whitwell, came first and second in the AOV cobnut class at the National Fruit Show at Kent County Show Ground. Mark also won the John Bardsley Tankard for best entry of cobnuts.
A selection of the winning entries are supplied to Buckingham Palace, so King Charles might well be enjoying nuts grown in Whitwell.
Mike is also celebrating the first decent harvest of almonds.
He said: "Thanks to global warming, a risk taken 10 years ago to plant the trees is finally starting to pay off.
"The nuts are far more environmentally friendly than their Californian cousins. They don't need to be irrigated, they aren't bleached and don't have to cross the Atlantic.
"The flavour is far more intense and Island almonds are dead 'ard."
Mike suggests a Christmas afternoon challenge can be cracking them, saying a hammer is tool of choice, but worth it for the 'exceptional taste'.
However, Mike says mainland varieties of walnut are not prospering as well as he had hoped, so the Nuttery is looking for quality Island walnut trees that it can develop 'for future generations'.
Mike said: "If readers have a walnut tree growing well in their garden, please get in contact at mike.1.king@outlook.com."
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel