Orchard Notes
@orchardnotes.com
Darren Turpin (@darrenturpin.bsky.social)
#Orchard enthusiast & amateur pomologist
Based in Manchester, UK
Pro Gardener / Horticulturist @ National Trust Quarry Bank
#orchardist, #allotmenteer and fruit grower
Website: https://orchardnotes.com
#Orchard enthusiast & amateur pomologist
Based in Manchester, UK
Pro Gardener / Horticulturist @ National Trust Quarry Bank
#orchardist, #allotmenteer and fruit grower
Website: https://orchardnotes.com
Pinned
Orchard Notes
@orchardnotes.com
· Jan 19
Orchard Notes - Fruit Tree Care, Management, History and More
Orchard Notes by Darren Turpin, orchardist and horticulturist based in Manchester, UK. Exploring and investigating modern orchard management methods as well as orchard history, tradition and culture.
orchardnotes.com
Orchard Notes Resources Info-Dump...
Main website: orchardnotes.com
#Pomolibrary book list: bit.ly/on-books
Full pomology bibliography: bit.ly/on-bibli
Historical fruit recipes archive: bit.ly/on-recip
My amateur research projects: bit.ly/on-respr
Norfolk Biffins & 'Beefing' apples: bit.ly/on-biffi
Main website: orchardnotes.com
#Pomolibrary book list: bit.ly/on-books
Full pomology bibliography: bit.ly/on-bibli
Historical fruit recipes archive: bit.ly/on-recip
My amateur research projects: bit.ly/on-respr
Norfolk Biffins & 'Beefing' apples: bit.ly/on-biffi
Reposted by Orchard Notes
🎉 We have launched our Crowdfunder campaign, #OrchardsForAll
The #AvivaCommunityFund is matching all donations up to £250. There are some brilliant rewards to snap up that won’t be around for long!
www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/orchards-f...
#AvivaCommunityFundUK #StrongerCommunities
The #AvivaCommunityFund is matching all donations up to £250. There are some brilliant rewards to snap up that won’t be around for long!
www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/orchards-f...
#AvivaCommunityFundUK #StrongerCommunities
November 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
🎉 We have launched our Crowdfunder campaign, #OrchardsForAll
The #AvivaCommunityFund is matching all donations up to £250. There are some brilliant rewards to snap up that won’t be around for long!
www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/orchards-f...
#AvivaCommunityFundUK #StrongerCommunities
The #AvivaCommunityFund is matching all donations up to £250. There are some brilliant rewards to snap up that won’t be around for long!
www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/orchards-f...
#AvivaCommunityFundUK #StrongerCommunities
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Little applets forming. Photos of Tom Putt a week apart. Once fertilised the perianth and ovule begin to grow. #apple #cider #perianth #accessoryfruit
November 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Little applets forming. Photos of Tom Putt a week apart. Once fertilised the perianth and ovule begin to grow. #apple #cider #perianth #accessoryfruit
Reposted by Orchard Notes
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...
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/08/g...
November 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
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...
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/08/g...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Medlars are now harvested. Let the bletting commence.
After grading the tray on the left is unbletted and the fruit is still hard and has that lovely golden colour still.
The tray on the right are bletted so they are a darker brown and squashy.
After grading the tray on the left is unbletted and the fruit is still hard and has that lovely golden colour still.
The tray on the right are bletted so they are a darker brown and squashy.
November 8, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Medlars are now harvested. Let the bletting commence.
After grading the tray on the left is unbletted and the fruit is still hard and has that lovely golden colour still.
The tray on the right are bletted so they are a darker brown and squashy.
After grading the tray on the left is unbletted and the fruit is still hard and has that lovely golden colour still.
The tray on the right are bletted so they are a darker brown and squashy.
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...
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/08/g...
November 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
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...
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/08/g...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
We've just polished up our course programme for next year! 🌳🍎
More info & tickets available on our website:
fruitworks.org.uk/courses
#fruitworkscoop #fruittrees #fruitgrowing #growingfruit #fruittreepruning #grafting #communityorchard
More info & tickets available on our website:
fruitworks.org.uk/courses
#fruitworkscoop #fruittrees #fruitgrowing #growingfruit #fruittreepruning #grafting #communityorchard
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
We've just polished up our course programme for next year! 🌳🍎
More info & tickets available on our website:
fruitworks.org.uk/courses
#fruitworkscoop #fruittrees #fruitgrowing #growingfruit #fruittreepruning #grafting #communityorchard
More info & tickets available on our website:
fruitworks.org.uk/courses
#fruitworkscoop #fruittrees #fruitgrowing #growingfruit #fruittreepruning #grafting #communityorchard
Reposted by Orchard Notes
We've just published our Impact Report for the 24/25 financial year - promise it's full of lots of feel-good orchard information if you'd like a read!
👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/impact-...
👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/impact-...
Impact Report 2025 - The Orchard Project
Our latest Impact Report highlights what the charity has achieved during 2024-25 towards supporting community orchards across the UK.
www.theorchardproject.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
We've just published our Impact Report for the 24/25 financial year - promise it's full of lots of feel-good orchard information if you'd like a read!
👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/impact-...
👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/impact-...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
A strain of Rome Beauty from our orchard called a Law Rome. The red skin stains the flesh when the nights get cold.
November 7, 2025 at 3:04 AM
A strain of Rome Beauty from our orchard called a Law Rome. The red skin stains the flesh when the nights get cold.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Reposted by Orchard Notes
I really wanted this video to put across the importance of small businesses and the loveliness of a family business.
Also of course how important our home grown fruit is!
#buybritish #applebrandy #organic #organicgrown
Also of course how important our home grown fruit is!
#buybritish #applebrandy #organic #organicgrown
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 AM
I really wanted this video to put across the importance of small businesses and the loveliness of a family business.
Also of course how important our home grown fruit is!
#buybritish #applebrandy #organic #organicgrown
Also of course how important our home grown fruit is!
#buybritish #applebrandy #organic #organicgrown
Reposted by Orchard Notes
A few days in the life of some of our apples. These will come back to Le Manoir as apple brandy in 5 years time.
A big shout out to Capreolus distillery who we have worked with for a few years now.
I love seeing the outcome of so much work over the growing year.
A big shout out to Capreolus distillery who we have worked with for a few years now.
I love seeing the outcome of so much work over the growing year.
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 AM
A few days in the life of some of our apples. These will come back to Le Manoir as apple brandy in 5 years time.
A big shout out to Capreolus distillery who we have worked with for a few years now.
I love seeing the outcome of so much work over the growing year.
A big shout out to Capreolus distillery who we have worked with for a few years now.
I love seeing the outcome of so much work over the growing year.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Still picking apples in the garden - used the latest to make a toffee apple tart, using leftover (Yes, I know) sauce from a sticky toffee pudding. Waste not, want not.
10" pie dish, 8 generous slices
www.netherton-foundry.co.uk/baking-tins/...
10" pie dish, 8 generous slices
www.netherton-foundry.co.uk/baking-tins/...
October 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Still picking apples in the garden - used the latest to make a toffee apple tart, using leftover (Yes, I know) sauce from a sticky toffee pudding. Waste not, want not.
10" pie dish, 8 generous slices
www.netherton-foundry.co.uk/baking-tins/...
10" pie dish, 8 generous slices
www.netherton-foundry.co.uk/baking-tins/...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Reposted by Orchard Notes
In the grey light of an overcast morning, a warm glow from late season apples, waiting to be harvested. This is Pope's Scarlet Costard. A rare but beautiful variety. Raised as a red sport of the old Medieval apple Costard by William Pope of Welford Park, Newbury early 19th C. 🍎🌱🍂
November 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
In the grey light of an overcast morning, a warm glow from late season apples, waiting to be harvested. This is Pope's Scarlet Costard. A rare but beautiful variety. Raised as a red sport of the old Medieval apple Costard by William Pope of Welford Park, Newbury early 19th C. 🍎🌱🍂
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Perry’s success is in its uniqueness, not its ubiquity @teamdb.bsky.social
Perry’s success is in its uniqueness, not its ubiquity
The perry category is in growth and has gathered pace over recent years. Jessica Mason looks at why restaurants and independent bottle shops are stocking it as a discerning low-alcohol choice for thos...
www.thedrinksbusiness.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Perry’s success is in its uniqueness, not its ubiquity @teamdb.bsky.social
Reposted by Orchard Notes
I'm trying to track down confidently identified trees of Monmouth Pippin (different than Monmouth Beauty) sometimes also called Red Cheek.
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I'm trying to track down confidently identified trees of Monmouth Pippin (different than Monmouth Beauty) sometimes also called Red Cheek.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Blackburn cakes are similar to Eccles cakes but are filled with apples and spices rather than currants.
You can find the recipe at piespuddingsandpottages.com/recipe-post/...
#britishfood #foodhistory #baking #recipe #pastries #apples
You can find the recipe at piespuddingsandpottages.com/recipe-post/...
#britishfood #foodhistory #baking #recipe #pastries #apples
November 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Blackburn cakes are similar to Eccles cakes but are filled with apples and spices rather than currants.
You can find the recipe at piespuddingsandpottages.com/recipe-post/...
#britishfood #foodhistory #baking #recipe #pastries #apples
You can find the recipe at piespuddingsandpottages.com/recipe-post/...
#britishfood #foodhistory #baking #recipe #pastries #apples
Reposted by Orchard Notes
In this week’s podcast episode I look at some of the less well known foods mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays namely sack, medlars and Banbury cheese.
Joining me are Victoria González-Gordon from Gonzalez Byass wines, Jane Steward of Eastgate larder and Ned Palmer of cheese tasting Co
Joining me are Victoria González-Gordon from Gonzalez Byass wines, Jane Steward of Eastgate larder and Ned Palmer of cheese tasting Co
November 1, 2025 at 7:21 AM
In this week’s podcast episode I look at some of the less well known foods mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays namely sack, medlars and Banbury cheese.
Joining me are Victoria González-Gordon from Gonzalez Byass wines, Jane Steward of Eastgate larder and Ned Palmer of cheese tasting Co
Joining me are Victoria González-Gordon from Gonzalez Byass wines, Jane Steward of Eastgate larder and Ned Palmer of cheese tasting Co
Reposted by Orchard Notes
And away we go -- it's Halloween, but today's apple is a little more sci-fi in name than scarefest. It's time to review the theoretical heir to the Honeycrisp throne --
The Cosmic Crisp.
The Cosmic Crisp.
Apple Review #31: Cosmic Crisp
Gotta chase that sweet, sweet Honeycrisp dragon — that’s the thing, right? So many of our grocery store apples are, at this point, chasing the success and the flavor of the vaunted and …
terribleminds.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
And away we go -- it's Halloween, but today's apple is a little more sci-fi in name than scarefest. It's time to review the theoretical heir to the Honeycrisp throne --
The Cosmic Crisp.
The Cosmic Crisp.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
It has been a fabulous year for sloes, why not make your own sloe gin for Christmas, also perfect as a Christmas gift for alcoholic friends and family! It is incredibly easy, but get picking before the birds eat them!
youtu.be/wZzOVXCZsi4
youtu.be/wZzOVXCZsi4
How to make sloe gin - very quick and easy!
YouTube video by Dave Goulson
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
It has been a fabulous year for sloes, why not make your own sloe gin for Christmas, also perfect as a Christmas gift for alcoholic friends and family! It is incredibly easy, but get picking before the birds eat them!
youtu.be/wZzOVXCZsi4
youtu.be/wZzOVXCZsi4
Reposted by Orchard Notes
I Skåne till helgen? Trevlig ciderfestival vi (Dryg) drar igång med Fruktstereo.
October 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I Skåne till helgen? Trevlig ciderfestival vi (Dryg) drar igång med Fruktstereo.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Meet Diane Flynt, the first lady of Virginia cider. It's been a while since we published a cider story, we hope you enjoy it!
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/10...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/10...
Apple Tree Woman — Diane Flynt and Foggy Ridge Orchards in Dugspur, Virginia — Pellicle
“Before there is cider, there are apples,” is a common refrain during my time spent in the far southern marches of Virginia with Diane Flynt, founder of Foggy Ridge Orchards and a pioneer of the cider...
www.pelliclemag.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Meet Diane Flynt, the first lady of Virginia cider. It's been a while since we published a cider story, we hope you enjoy it!
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/10...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/10...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Speaking of apples, I found this one on a recent trip. Now I can't seem to learn anything about it!
Anyone?
adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/10/tipp...
Anyone?
adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/10/tipp...
Tipp Pippin
Sold as Tipp, but perhaps Tipperary, Pippin. I found this Irish apple at a specialty store in Dublin
adamapples.blogspot.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Speaking of apples, I found this one on a recent trip. Now I can't seem to learn anything about it!
Anyone?
adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/10/tipp...
Anyone?
adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/10/tipp...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
"Anyway. I've little advice for this current era, really, but had I something to tell you it'd be that: find you that thing that lets you disconnect."
Thanks @chuckwendig.bsky.social 🍎 🍏
terribleminds.com/ramble/2025/...
Thanks @chuckwendig.bsky.social 🍎 🍏
terribleminds.com/ramble/2025/...
Apple Review #24: Winesap
I keep coming back to the question of why I do this, and while the easiest answer is, I like apples and I want you to like apples too, and I find them interesting, and I want you to find them inter…
terribleminds.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
"Anyway. I've little advice for this current era, really, but had I something to tell you it'd be that: find you that thing that lets you disconnect."
Thanks @chuckwendig.bsky.social 🍎 🍏
terribleminds.com/ramble/2025/...
Thanks @chuckwendig.bsky.social 🍎 🍏
terribleminds.com/ramble/2025/...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
In today's apple reviews, I review a -- *checks notes* banana?
Also, some chatter about food insecurity and food banks --
Also, some chatter about food insecurity and food banks --
Apple Review #26: Winter Banana??
We’ll get to the fact I’m reviewing an apple called a banana (shades of A Man Called Horse) in a moment: up front, let’s talk about food insecurity. We are entering a time of grav…
terribleminds.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
In today's apple reviews, I review a -- *checks notes* banana?
Also, some chatter about food insecurity and food banks --
Also, some chatter about food insecurity and food banks --