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
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...
Folks, we have a new #giantapple (local to me) record holder! 🏆
A single 'Howgate Wonder', weighing in a 822g, or 1lb 13oz in old money. (And that's with a bit nibbled out by woodlice.)
And you know what? I'm not convinced that this is the largest apple on the tree this year ... 🤔
A single 'Howgate Wonder', weighing in a 822g, or 1lb 13oz in old money. (And that's with a bit nibbled out by woodlice.)
And you know what? I'm not convinced that this is the largest apple on the tree this year ... 🤔
October 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Folks, we have a new #giantapple (local to me) record holder! 🏆
A single 'Howgate Wonder', weighing in a 822g, or 1lb 13oz in old money. (And that's with a bit nibbled out by woodlice.)
And you know what? I'm not convinced that this is the largest apple on the tree this year ... 🤔
A single 'Howgate Wonder', weighing in a 822g, or 1lb 13oz in old money. (And that's with a bit nibbled out by woodlice.)
And you know what? I'm not convinced that this is the largest apple on the tree this year ... 🤔
Here's an update on our #allotment #cordon #apples, the more mature of which have had a really productive year 😁
It's not all sunshine and apple juice though, as canker has taken its toll on a couple of the trees, most likely with deadly effect 😒
orchardnotes.com/2025/10/18/c...
It's not all sunshine and apple juice though, as canker has taken its toll on a couple of the trees, most likely with deadly effect 😒
orchardnotes.com/2025/10/18/c...
October 18, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Here's an update on our #allotment #cordon #apples, the more mature of which have had a really productive year 😁
It's not all sunshine and apple juice though, as canker has taken its toll on a couple of the trees, most likely with deadly effect 😒
orchardnotes.com/2025/10/18/c...
It's not all sunshine and apple juice though, as canker has taken its toll on a couple of the trees, most likely with deadly effect 😒
orchardnotes.com/2025/10/18/c...
Hmm. Tried one yesterday. A but underwhelming, to be honest. Super shiny, bright red supermarket looks, crunchy, fairly juicy, but with and a rather bland, supermarket flavour. Ah, well.
October 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Hmm. Tried one yesterday. A but underwhelming, to be honest. Super shiny, bright red supermarket looks, crunchy, fairly juicy, but with and a rather bland, supermarket flavour. Ah, well.
This week I've been doing a bit of a photoshoot for a 2025 fruit harvest round-up blog post. Full details on orchardnotes.com before too long, hopefully.
October 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
This week I've been doing a bit of a photoshoot for a 2025 fruit harvest round-up blog post. Full details on orchardnotes.com before too long, hopefully.
Anyone for 'Apple Froise'? Sarah Harrison's 1760 recipe sounds like simplicity itself. Add batter to pan, add apple slices, add more batter, fry, enjoy.
Not sure if it's whole-pan-sized or individual fritters, but I don't suppose that matters if it's tasty, eh?
orchardnotes.com/2025/10/03/s...
Not sure if it's whole-pan-sized or individual fritters, but I don't suppose that matters if it's tasty, eh?
orchardnotes.com/2025/10/03/s...
October 5, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Anyone for 'Apple Froise'? Sarah Harrison's 1760 recipe sounds like simplicity itself. Add batter to pan, add apple slices, add more batter, fry, enjoy.
Not sure if it's whole-pan-sized or individual fritters, but I don't suppose that matters if it's tasty, eh?
orchardnotes.com/2025/10/03/s...
Not sure if it's whole-pan-sized or individual fritters, but I don't suppose that matters if it's tasty, eh?
orchardnotes.com/2025/10/03/s...
Right, actual finished product, in their air-tight box. Should store for a few months but I doubt they'll last that long. Far too tasty 😋
October 4, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Right, actual finished product, in their air-tight box. Should store for a few months but I doubt they'll last that long. Far too tasty 😋
Forgot to post a pic of the finished slices. Actually, not quite finished, as some of them were still had a bit too much moisture when I checked them in the morning, so I gave them another couple of hours before boxing them up.
I really don't mind the browning, btw, doesn't affect the flavour.
I really don't mind the browning, btw, doesn't affect the flavour.
October 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Forgot to post a pic of the finished slices. Actually, not quite finished, as some of them were still had a bit too much moisture when I checked them in the morning, so I gave them another couple of hours before boxing them up.
I really don't mind the browning, btw, doesn't affect the flavour.
I really don't mind the browning, btw, doesn't affect the flavour.
If, like me, you're staring at a huge glut of apples and wondering what to do with them, might I suggest trying a few of the apple-based historical fruit recipes that I've collected over the past few years?
Some absolutely delicious apple dishes described here:
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
Some absolutely delicious apple dishes described here:
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
October 4, 2025 at 7:54 AM
If, like me, you're staring at a huge glut of apples and wondering what to do with them, might I suggest trying a few of the apple-based historical fruit recipes that I've collected over the past few years?
Some absolutely delicious apple dishes described here:
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
Some absolutely delicious apple dishes described here:
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
I've decided to have another go at lacto-fermenting plums (last year's weren't so successful). Fingers crossed they'll be ready to sample in a few weeks.
October 3, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I've decided to have another go at lacto-fermenting plums (last year's weren't so successful). Fingers crossed they'll be ready to sample in a few weeks.
I was rather impressed earlier today when the barista in the café at Leeds Art Gallery managed to do a coffee-swirl pattern in the perfect shape of an apple.
Looks like a cooker to me. Maybe a 'Howgate Wonder'? Or maybe I'm seeing things? 😄
What do you reckon?
Looks like a cooker to me. Maybe a 'Howgate Wonder'? Or maybe I'm seeing things? 😄
What do you reckon?
October 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I was rather impressed earlier today when the barista in the café at Leeds Art Gallery managed to do a coffee-swirl pattern in the perfect shape of an apple.
Looks like a cooker to me. Maybe a 'Howgate Wonder'? Or maybe I'm seeing things? 😄
What do you reckon?
Looks like a cooker to me. Maybe a 'Howgate Wonder'? Or maybe I'm seeing things? 😄
What do you reckon?
'The Story of the Herefordshire Pomona' by Bill Laws, published by Logaston Press on October 21st, is a delightfully readable tale of the creation of one of the great highlights of Victorian pomology, and the people who created it.
My review: orchardnotes.com/2025/10/01/b...
My review: orchardnotes.com/2025/10/01/b...
October 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM
'The Story of the Herefordshire Pomona' by Bill Laws, published by Logaston Press on October 21st, is a delightfully readable tale of the creation of one of the great highlights of Victorian pomology, and the people who created it.
My review: orchardnotes.com/2025/10/01/b...
My review: orchardnotes.com/2025/10/01/b...
Coming along nicely...
October 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Coming along nicely...
It's dehydratin' time!
'Royal Jubilee' apple slices in an electric dehydrator. Should take around 8-10 hours. Should keep in an airtight container for a few months.
'Royal Jubilee' apple slices in an electric dehydrator. Should take around 8-10 hours. Should keep in an airtight container for a few months.
October 1, 2025 at 9:33 AM
It's dehydratin' time!
'Royal Jubilee' apple slices in an electric dehydrator. Should take around 8-10 hours. Should keep in an airtight container for a few months.
'Royal Jubilee' apple slices in an electric dehydrator. Should take around 8-10 hours. Should keep in an airtight container for a few months.
After a few years' growth & development, a cordon tree that's growing in good soil with decent light should be producing around a dozen to two dozen apples per season 👍
Here are a few of mine, all 5-6 yrs old:
Here are a few of mine, all 5-6 yrs old:
September 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
After a few years' growth & development, a cordon tree that's growing in good soil with decent light should be producing around a dozen to two dozen apples per season 👍
Here are a few of mine, all 5-6 yrs old:
Here are a few of mine, all 5-6 yrs old:
Apple 'Herefordshire Russet'. A modern take on a classic style, raised in the 1970s and not introduced until 2003. I do love a russet and this small, 6-7 yr old tree has had its best year yet, with a really good crop. I'm really looking forward to them ripening fully in a week or two.
September 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Apple 'Herefordshire Russet'. A modern take on a classic style, raised in the 1970s and not introduced until 2003. I do love a russet and this small, 6-7 yr old tree has had its best year yet, with a really good crop. I'm really looking forward to them ripening fully in a week or two.
Apple 'Rajka'. A modern Czech variety, possessing "a combination of the sweetness of Golden Delicious with the juicy acidity of James Grieve" (orangepippin.com) this is the first year that our cordon tree has produced a crop, so I'm looking forward to finding out if they live up to their billing.
September 19, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Apple 'Rajka'. A modern Czech variety, possessing "a combination of the sweetness of Golden Delicious with the juicy acidity of James Grieve" (orangepippin.com) this is the first year that our cordon tree has produced a crop, so I'm looking forward to finding out if they live up to their billing.
Apple 'Winter Gem'. A very flavourful, late-ripening variety. Raised in the 1970s, introduced in the 1990s. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this one when I first tried it last year, so I'm looking forward to this year's crop of a dozen or so from our cordon tree.
September 19, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Apple 'Winter Gem'. A very flavourful, late-ripening variety. Raised in the 1970s, introduced in the 1990s. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this one when I first tried it last year, so I'm looking forward to this year's crop of a dozen or so from our cordon tree.
Apple 'Duke of Devonshire'. According to the NFC database, this was raised in 1835 by Wilson, gardener to the Duke of Devonshire at Holker Hall, Lancashire (who obviously wasn't above sucking up to his boss). Another 3-4 weeks before this one ripens.
September 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Apple 'Duke of Devonshire'. According to the NFC database, this was raised in 1835 by Wilson, gardener to the Duke of Devonshire at Holker Hall, Lancashire (who obviously wasn't above sucking up to his boss). Another 3-4 weeks before this one ripens.
Apple 'Delbard Jubile'. Possibly. Originally supplied as 'Greensleeves', but definitely not right. Supplier's list also included 'Jubilee'. Which could be a 'Jubillee' (Canadian) or 'Delbard Jubile', a.k.a. 'Delbard Jubilée' (French). These fruits are a pretty good match for the latter.
September 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Apple 'Delbard Jubile'. Possibly. Originally supplied as 'Greensleeves', but definitely not right. Supplier's list also included 'Jubilee'. Which could be a 'Jubillee' (Canadian) or 'Delbard Jubile', a.k.a. 'Delbard Jubilée' (French). These fruits are a pretty good match for the latter.
Apple 'Pitmaston Pine Apple'. Small, russety yellow, packed with flavour. Only a few this year on a 2 yr old cordon tree, but I'm looking forward to bumper crops to come (fingers crossed).
September 19, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Apple 'Pitmaston Pine Apple'. Small, russety yellow, packed with flavour. Only a few this year on a 2 yr old cordon tree, but I'm looking forward to bumper crops to come (fingers crossed).
Apple 'Belle de Boskoop', with additional interesting-looking warty bits. Possible caused by an insect, possibly by hail damage earlier in the season (?), but either way I'm not at all bothered, I'll just slice 'em off and enjoy a meal in an apple.
September 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Apple 'Belle de Boskoop', with additional interesting-looking warty bits. Possible caused by an insect, possibly by hail damage earlier in the season (?), but either way I'm not at all bothered, I'll just slice 'em off and enjoy a meal in an apple.
Apple 'Kidd's Orange Red'. Sweet, crunchy, juicy, good flavour. Not my tree, so I haven't had the pleasure of enjoying this one this year, but I do have a cordon coming along nicely, so hopefully in a year or two.
September 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Apple 'Kidd's Orange Red'. Sweet, crunchy, juicy, good flavour. Not my tree, so I haven't had the pleasure of enjoying this one this year, but I do have a cordon coming along nicely, so hopefully in a year or two.
Some of the results of the last couple of days' apple picking efforts at work. Left: 'Ribston Pippin' and 'Lord Suffield', Right: 'James Grieve' and 'Withington Welter'. Also picked a whole tray of 'Keswick Codlin'.
I absolutely love this time of year 😍
I absolutely love this time of year 😍
September 11, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Some of the results of the last couple of days' apple picking efforts at work. Left: 'Ribston Pippin' and 'Lord Suffield', Right: 'James Grieve' and 'Withington Welter'. Also picked a whole tray of 'Keswick Codlin'.
I absolutely love this time of year 😍
I absolutely love this time of year 😍