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
#Orchard geek & fruit grower @orchardnotes.bsky.social / https://orchardnotes.com
Also: Beer, Pubs, Music, Comedy, Gaming, History, Psychology, Art, Philosophy, Mental Health
...past the end of the soft fruit, & the chives, we have a double row of sunflowers, then the sweet pea frames, and then the as yet uncovered & unplanted Dahlia bed. Next it's 2 air-potted & 3 planted apple trees, then the comfrey farm, then we're into the compost bins & general utility area.
May 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
...past the end of the soft fruit, & the chives, we have a double row of sunflowers, then the sweet pea frames, and then the as yet uncovered & unplanted Dahlia bed. Next it's 2 air-potted & 3 planted apple trees, then the comfrey farm, then we're into the compost bins & general utility area.
T'other side of our #allotment plot, as of this morning.
Stepover apple 'Howgate Wonder', a couple of pea frames behind that, then our asparagus beds (3 rows, we love asparagus in season), then the rhubarb patch and on to the possibly over-engineered raspberry supports & the soft fruit section...
Stepover apple 'Howgate Wonder', a couple of pea frames behind that, then our asparagus beds (3 rows, we love asparagus in season), then the rhubarb patch and on to the possibly over-engineered raspberry supports & the soft fruit section...
May 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
T'other side of our #allotment plot, as of this morning.
Stepover apple 'Howgate Wonder', a couple of pea frames behind that, then our asparagus beds (3 rows, we love asparagus in season), then the rhubarb patch and on to the possibly over-engineered raspberry supports & the soft fruit section...
Stepover apple 'Howgate Wonder', a couple of pea frames behind that, then our asparagus beds (3 rows, we love asparagus in season), then the rhubarb patch and on to the possibly over-engineered raspberry supports & the soft fruit section...
Our #allotment this a.m.
Front: purple-blue Centaurea, then our stepover apple 'Keswick Codlin'.
Middle: purple Iris (germanica?) flanked by rows of cordon #apples.
Back: another cordon apple row, then the rest of the plot, and our 6x6 greenhouse right at the very end.
Not too shabby.
🌱
Front: purple-blue Centaurea, then our stepover apple 'Keswick Codlin'.
Middle: purple Iris (germanica?) flanked by rows of cordon #apples.
Back: another cordon apple row, then the rest of the plot, and our 6x6 greenhouse right at the very end.
Not too shabby.
🌱
May 16, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Our #allotment this a.m.
Front: purple-blue Centaurea, then our stepover apple 'Keswick Codlin'.
Middle: purple Iris (germanica?) flanked by rows of cordon #apples.
Back: another cordon apple row, then the rest of the plot, and our 6x6 greenhouse right at the very end.
Not too shabby.
🌱
Front: purple-blue Centaurea, then our stepover apple 'Keswick Codlin'.
Middle: purple Iris (germanica?) flanked by rows of cordon #apples.
Back: another cordon apple row, then the rest of the plot, and our 6x6 greenhouse right at the very end.
Not too shabby.
🌱
I've invested in new seed sowing modules from the @cdfarmguy.bsky.social (Charles Dowding) range, via Containerwise UK.
First impression: thick, v sturdy plastic, should last years. Dibber / plug pop-up unit comes in handy as well.
Very happy so far.
Details: containerwise.co.uk/product/char...
First impression: thick, v sturdy plastic, should last years. Dibber / plug pop-up unit comes in handy as well.
Very happy so far.
Details: containerwise.co.uk/product/char...
March 7, 2025 at 9:45 AM
I've invested in new seed sowing modules from the @cdfarmguy.bsky.social (Charles Dowding) range, via Containerwise UK.
First impression: thick, v sturdy plastic, should last years. Dibber / plug pop-up unit comes in handy as well.
Very happy so far.
Details: containerwise.co.uk/product/char...
First impression: thick, v sturdy plastic, should last years. Dibber / plug pop-up unit comes in handy as well.
Very happy so far.
Details: containerwise.co.uk/product/char...
Here's a hugely welcome sign of spring, snapped on the last day of winter.
{NT Quarry Bank, 28.02.25}
{NT Quarry Bank, 28.02.25}
March 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Here's a hugely welcome sign of spring, snapped on the last day of winter.
{NT Quarry Bank, 28.02.25}
{NT Quarry Bank, 28.02.25}
Brie de meaux for lunch. May need to use a straw... 😋😋😋
February 22, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Brie de meaux for lunch. May need to use a straw... 😋😋😋
It's potato chitting time.
February 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
It's potato chitting time.
A late Jan / early Feb #sixonsaturday: Sarcococca confusa (sweet box), Helleborus x hybridus (from Ashwood's), new leaf on a random hybrid Heuchera, Primula vulgaris (primrose), flowers on Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane' (witch hazel), and a backlit, glowing Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop).
February 1, 2025 at 8:52 AM
A late Jan / early Feb #sixonsaturday: Sarcococca confusa (sweet box), Helleborus x hybridus (from Ashwood's), new leaf on a random hybrid Heuchera, Primula vulgaris (primrose), flowers on Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane' (witch hazel), and a backlit, glowing Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop).
Managed to get a couple of hours in down on the #allotment today. A bit grey and soggy underfoot, but good ground conditions for picking out fiddly weed seedlings - mostly bittercress, willowherb, a few docks.
Looks like the rhubarb survived last week's big freeze 👍
Looks like the rhubarb survived last week's big freeze 👍
January 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Managed to get a couple of hours in down on the #allotment today. A bit grey and soggy underfoot, but good ground conditions for picking out fiddly weed seedlings - mostly bittercress, willowherb, a few docks.
Looks like the rhubarb survived last week's big freeze 👍
Looks like the rhubarb survived last week's big freeze 👍
A top tip that I learned the other day from a random post: in Settings > Accessibility, you can check the box that prevents you from posting any images without adding Alt text to them:
January 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
A top tip that I learned the other day from a random post: in Settings > Accessibility, you can check the box that prevents you from posting any images without adding Alt text to them:
I just finished 'A Cheesemonger's History of the British Isles' by Ned Palmer. Hugely enjoyable, and not just if you're a cheese fan. But mostly if you're a cheese fan. Actually, you probably need to really like cheese to get the most out of this one. And it will make you feel hungry. For cheese. 🙂
January 8, 2025 at 9:59 AM
I just finished 'A Cheesemonger's History of the British Isles' by Ned Palmer. Hugely enjoyable, and not just if you're a cheese fan. But mostly if you're a cheese fan. Actually, you probably need to really like cheese to get the most out of this one. And it will make you feel hungry. For cheese. 🙂
Spotted on a nearby allotment plot earlier today. Don't know if it scares the crows, but it definitely perturbs the hell out of me...
January 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Spotted on a nearby allotment plot earlier today. Don't know if it scares the crows, but it definitely perturbs the hell out of me...
Woke up to a decent amount of snow cover this morning. Heavy rain forecast this afternoon though, so it might not last all that long.
January 5, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Woke up to a decent amount of snow cover this morning. Heavy rain forecast this afternoon though, so it might not last all that long.
Wall-top sapling.
January 4, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Wall-top sapling.
Lovely pint of @thornbridge.bsky.social 'Sun Goes Down' dark mild at The City Arms, Manchester this afternoon.
January 3, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Lovely pint of @thornbridge.bsky.social 'Sun Goes Down' dark mild at The City Arms, Manchester this afternoon.
Winter sun on the soft fruit patch, down at the #allotment. 🌱
January 2, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Winter sun on the soft fruit patch, down at the #allotment. 🌱
Looks like this rhubarb crown was a little too keen to get the growing season underway. Hopefully the sharp frost hasn't done too much damage.
January 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Looks like this rhubarb crown was a little too keen to get the growing season underway. Hopefully the sharp frost hasn't done too much damage.
Heuchera 'Metallic Shimmer'.
Extra shimmery after a fairly hard frost last night.
Extra shimmery after a fairly hard frost last night.
January 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Heuchera 'Metallic Shimmer'.
Extra shimmery after a fairly hard frost last night.
Extra shimmery after a fairly hard frost last night.
Winter woodland.
Heaton Park, Manchester, 01.01.25
Heaton Park, Manchester, 01.01.25
January 1, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Winter woodland.
Heaton Park, Manchester, 01.01.25
Heaton Park, Manchester, 01.01.25
Well, @runawaybrewery.bsky.social's Gingerbread Stout has been absolutely superb at Keg, Cask & Bottle in Prestwich for the past few days. A real highlight of the season.
December 29, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Well, @runawaybrewery.bsky.social's Gingerbread Stout has been absolutely superb at Keg, Cask & Bottle in Prestwich for the past few days. A real highlight of the season.
December 10, 2024 at 6:07 AM
Who needs all that plastic tat when you have Cornus alba 'Westonbirt' to bring the seasonal colour? 😍
December 1, 2024 at 10:14 AM
Who needs all that plastic tat when you have Cornus alba 'Westonbirt' to bring the seasonal colour? 😍