Darren T, Gardener
banner
darrenturpin.bsky.social
Darren T, Gardener
@darrenturpin.bsky.social
Pro #Gardener @ NT Quarry Bank & 10+yr #Allotment tenant
#Orchard geek & fruit grower @orchardnotes.bsky.social / https://orchardnotes.com
Also: Beer, Pubs, Music, Comedy, Gaming, History, Psychology, Art, Philosophy, Mental Health
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
This week in @thetimes.com we're off to Burton on Trent! Green shoots are appearing in the world’s most important beer town after decades of neglect and destruction: www.thetimes.com/life-style/f...
It’s the world’s best beer town — and home to my favourite pub
The pubs, the breweries, the beers — our expert has the ultimate guide for a pilgrimage to Burton upon Trent
www.thetimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Anyone for Apple Snow? Nellie Willey's 1887 recipe explains how to make best use of a bit of apple purée and a leftover egg white. Plus: custard!

orchardnotes.com/2025/11/23/n...
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
If you're stuck for ideas as to how to do something a bit different with this year's massive fruit harvests, I have a growing collection - 125 and counting - of historical and modern orchard and soft fruit recipes, wherein you might find a bit of inspiration:

orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
November 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
An Important Information Film. Please share widely so that more people receive the information.

Tickets: www.mickperrin.com/tours/alasdair-beckett-king-king-of-crumbs
November 21, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers.

Direct result of racism and insecurity unleashed by major political parties.

Not enough home trained doctors. Takes years and high debt to become a doctor.

A healthcare crisis in the making.
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers
Medical bodies warn that hostility towards migrants is behind a 26% rise in departures last year that imperils NHS
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Here's part one of my 2025 Fruit Harvest Highlights!

A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.

Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:

orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...

Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Apple 'Court of Wick', in the walled garden at NT Quarry Bank earlier this week. Dozens of bright, orange-red apples still dot its leafless branches.

They've really improved in flavour since we started picking them back in September. Patience is a virtue, if the tree isn't for dropping.
November 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Ancient English Woodland is a treasure beyond compare
November 21, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Maths Puzzles for Conspiracy Theorists.
One of the cartoons from my new book 'Physics for Cats'. In good bookshops now and online in English, French, German and Spanish editions.
November 21, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
A repost...

'Gilded Cage' ~ Wooden spoon carved in a single block of Sapele wood. I finished this spoon twice. After I 'finished' the first time the 'Gilded Cage' title occurred to me... so it was covered in gold leaf. I liked it best the other way.
November 21, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Ladies & Gentlemen, without further ado, let us present to you the 550 year old Arbour Oak in Wollaton Park, Nottingham
November 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
"What is certain, and felt instinctively by almost everybody, is that things cannot go on in their present way" – The Times, May 1975

“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
November 14, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
It's the Fesshole/Vagina Museum crossover event you've all been waiting for. Tons of you tagged us into this across all of our socials, asking for a fact-check. The consensus of the reply guys is that it Didn't Happen. However, this is in fact very possible. Here's why...
October 28, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Yesterday's 50mph+ wind gusts: "Right you lot, let's be having you on the ground!"

Apple 'Delbard Jubile', this afternoon: "Nope."
November 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Anyone for mini baked apples with a flapjack stuffing?

Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋

orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...

#apples #recipe
November 16, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
A repost...

'Humpty' ~ Wooden spoon carved in Basswood with broken eggshells and pigment. Base was Bald Cypress... (maybe).

Same joke as last time..

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
Followed by a brutal winter

#spoon #humpty #spoontaneous #woodworking #sculpture
November 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Quick photo gallery of autumn fruit tree foliage, anyone? A few highlights here - apple, peach, nectarine and blueberry -- and more pics on orchardnotes.com:

orchardnotes.com/2025/11/08/g...
November 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Check out the colour on this Rhus typhina #FoliageFriday

🌱 #Gardening #UKGardening
November 7, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
A walk in the woods can be an excellent mood booster. But having access to nature may do even more than lift our spirits. This week, the hidden power of the natural world. www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/how-...
How Nature Heals Us - Hidden Brain Media
What is it about the outdoors that has such a powerful effect on our mood and our minds? We explore how spending time in nature can undo some of the harmful effects of our modern lives.
www.hiddenbrain.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
I've been taking some new photos of A Greener Life for my shop. This book covers everything about organic, sustainable wildlife gardening from food to design. Flowers and veg from our garden today. www.jackwallington.com/product/a-gr...
November 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Ofwat letting England water firms charge twice to tackle sewage, court to hear

Companies billed people for sewage disposal, used cash to pay dividends and exec bonuses, dumped sewage in rivers.

Now charging again to fund promised investment, not raising capital from shareholders. Customers fleeced
Ofwat letting water firms charge twice to tackle sewage, court to hear
River Action bringing legal action against water regulator over who should foot bill for firms’ past failures to invest
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Reposted by Darren T, Gardener
Thinking about new plants for next year? Read my essential guide to avoid costly mistakes! www.wildway.info/p/10-essenti... (lesson for paid subscribers)
10 essential tips for choosing plants for your garden
How professional gardeners and designers choose plants for gardens
www.wildway.info
November 4, 2025 at 7:57 AM