Paula Fleming
@paulafleming5.bsky.social
🍎 Orchardist 🍐
🌳Head orchard gardener @belmondlemanoir
🪲 Organic top and soft fruit grower
🚜 A muddle of Agriculture and Horticulture
https://linktr.ee/thegroundedorchardist
🌳Head orchard gardener @belmondlemanoir
🪲 Organic top and soft fruit grower
🚜 A muddle of Agriculture and Horticulture
https://linktr.ee/thegroundedorchardist
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.
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.
It's not over yet!
October 15, 2025 at 3:27 PM
It's not over yet!
New favourite! 😄
October 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
New favourite! 😄
It doesn't look appetising I grant you, but look at the colour of the tickled pink apple pulp before pressing. 🍎
I didn't take a picture of the juice but you can imagine how red that was. 🍷
I didn't take a picture of the juice but you can imagine how red that was. 🍷
October 3, 2025 at 5:09 PM
It doesn't look appetising I grant you, but look at the colour of the tickled pink apple pulp before pressing. 🍎
I didn't take a picture of the juice but you can imagine how red that was. 🍷
I didn't take a picture of the juice but you can imagine how red that was. 🍷
Probably the best smelling trailer in the world....ever!
The Quince harvest is in. We have Champion and Portugal and it's about 220kg!
Red falstaff and Granny smith apples are there too.
Hiding underneath we have Christmas Pearmain, Orleans reinette and Chivers delight.
The Quince harvest is in. We have Champion and Portugal and it's about 220kg!
Red falstaff and Granny smith apples are there too.
Hiding underneath we have Christmas Pearmain, Orleans reinette and Chivers delight.
October 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Probably the best smelling trailer in the world....ever!
The Quince harvest is in. We have Champion and Portugal and it's about 220kg!
Red falstaff and Granny smith apples are there too.
Hiding underneath we have Christmas Pearmain, Orleans reinette and Chivers delight.
The Quince harvest is in. We have Champion and Portugal and it's about 220kg!
Red falstaff and Granny smith apples are there too.
Hiding underneath we have Christmas Pearmain, Orleans reinette and Chivers delight.
This Bramley has watercore. The flesh goes translucent and is very sweet and watery...not what you usually associate with a Bramley!
We wouldn't generally want this in the UK but in places such as Japan, they market this as special. Particularly with their Fuji apples.
We wouldn't generally want this in the UK but in places such as Japan, they market this as special. Particularly with their Fuji apples.
September 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM
This Bramley has watercore. The flesh goes translucent and is very sweet and watery...not what you usually associate with a Bramley!
We wouldn't generally want this in the UK but in places such as Japan, they market this as special. Particularly with their Fuji apples.
We wouldn't generally want this in the UK but in places such as Japan, they market this as special. Particularly with their Fuji apples.
The Quince are absolutely stunning this year, a bit small but stunning nonetheless!
A few splits but so far so good! As with everything else they're early this year and will be ready in a few days!
A few splits but so far so good! As with everything else they're early this year and will be ready in a few days!
September 16, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Quince are absolutely stunning this year, a bit small but stunning nonetheless!
A few splits but so far so good! As with everything else they're early this year and will be ready in a few days!
A few splits but so far so good! As with everything else they're early this year and will be ready in a few days!
Some of our heritage fruit varieties. I love picking over these trees and seeing all the colours and differences.
It's a happy picking bucket!
It's a happy picking bucket!
September 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Some of our heritage fruit varieties. I love picking over these trees and seeing all the colours and differences.
It's a happy picking bucket!
It's a happy picking bucket!
Varieties you can see...
🍎 Tickled pink (yes, they're a little under ripe but that's how the chefs want them.)
🍏 Blenheim orange
🍐 Beurre hardy
🍐 Gorham
🍎 Santana
🍎 Tickled pink (yes, they're a little under ripe but that's how the chefs want them.)
🍏 Blenheim orange
🍐 Beurre hardy
🍐 Gorham
🍎 Santana
September 5, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Varieties you can see...
🍎 Tickled pink (yes, they're a little under ripe but that's how the chefs want them.)
🍏 Blenheim orange
🍐 Beurre hardy
🍐 Gorham
🍎 Santana
🍎 Tickled pink (yes, they're a little under ripe but that's how the chefs want them.)
🍏 Blenheim orange
🍐 Beurre hardy
🍐 Gorham
🍎 Santana
Next up. Katy, the first pick of Red Windsor and Keswick codlin.
That subtle pink is the most colour I've seen on the Keswick codlin.
That subtle pink is the most colour I've seen on the Keswick codlin.
August 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Next up. Katy, the first pick of Red Windsor and Keswick codlin.
That subtle pink is the most colour I've seen on the Keswick codlin.
That subtle pink is the most colour I've seen on the Keswick codlin.
Precoce de Trevoux is our first pear, much earlier than the others.
Look at the size of this one, not bad for such a short growing season.
It's from France and goes back to 1862. I think the one in my hand has to be the finest one I have grown!
Look at the size of this one, not bad for such a short growing season.
It's from France and goes back to 1862. I think the one in my hand has to be the finest one I have grown!
August 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Precoce de Trevoux is our first pear, much earlier than the others.
Look at the size of this one, not bad for such a short growing season.
It's from France and goes back to 1862. I think the one in my hand has to be the finest one I have grown!
Look at the size of this one, not bad for such a short growing season.
It's from France and goes back to 1862. I think the one in my hand has to be the finest one I have grown!
The colours of the 2025 harvest are continuing with Discovery and Scrumptious. It hurts the eyeballs!!
It's almost a shame to pick them as the trees look so bare now.
This year these apple varieties are too sweet for my tastes, the flavours are incredible though!
It's almost a shame to pick them as the trees look so bare now.
This year these apple varieties are too sweet for my tastes, the flavours are incredible though!
August 12, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The colours of the 2025 harvest are continuing with Discovery and Scrumptious. It hurts the eyeballs!!
It's almost a shame to pick them as the trees look so bare now.
This year these apple varieties are too sweet for my tastes, the flavours are incredible though!
It's almost a shame to pick them as the trees look so bare now.
This year these apple varieties are too sweet for my tastes, the flavours are incredible though!
Devonshire Quarrenden is our next apple variety to go into the pastry kitchen.
This box is ungraded but once graded the best apples will go into the hotel rooms and breakfast buffet.
This box is ungraded but once graded the best apples will go into the hotel rooms and breakfast buffet.
August 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Devonshire Quarrenden is our next apple variety to go into the pastry kitchen.
This box is ungraded but once graded the best apples will go into the hotel rooms and breakfast buffet.
This box is ungraded but once graded the best apples will go into the hotel rooms and breakfast buffet.
Just like that...it's harvest time again. Three weeks early due to the warm dry spring. I wonder how the rest of the season will go.
This is George Cave and he's very prolific this year! In apple terms he is a youngster and was bred in 1923 and put to market in 1945.
This is George Cave and he's very prolific this year! In apple terms he is a youngster and was bred in 1923 and put to market in 1945.
July 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Just like that...it's harvest time again. Three weeks early due to the warm dry spring. I wonder how the rest of the season will go.
This is George Cave and he's very prolific this year! In apple terms he is a youngster and was bred in 1923 and put to market in 1945.
This is George Cave and he's very prolific this year! In apple terms he is a youngster and was bred in 1923 and put to market in 1945.
Attending the Raymond Blanc Gardening school today were our Redcurrants, Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Loganberry, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries and Figs. Plus some very lovely guests!!
July 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Attending the Raymond Blanc Gardening school today were our Redcurrants, Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Loganberry, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries and Figs. Plus some very lovely guests!!
I'm very excited to see sandy muddy "doors" covering these canes. It was all leaf coverings last year.
I wonder what they are? Any guesses?
The theory definitely works though, we have guests for the second year running.
I wonder what they are? Any guesses?
The theory definitely works though, we have guests for the second year running.
July 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I'm very excited to see sandy muddy "doors" covering these canes. It was all leaf coverings last year.
I wonder what they are? Any guesses?
The theory definitely works though, we have guests for the second year running.
I wonder what they are? Any guesses?
The theory definitely works though, we have guests for the second year running.
The #ladybirds found their own bug hotels! It's usually #earwigs I find doing this in such numbers.
July 17, 2025 at 6:21 AM
The #ladybirds found their own bug hotels! It's usually #earwigs I find doing this in such numbers.
If you squint your eyes, aphids are quite cute really...just not in huge numbers on our trees and plants! 🤔🪲
#aphid #greenfly #roseaphid #macro #closeup #entomology #pest #insectcloseup #britishwildlife #wildlife #wildlifephoto
#aphid #greenfly #roseaphid #macro #closeup #entomology #pest #insectcloseup #britishwildlife #wildlife #wildlifephoto
July 12, 2025 at 6:10 PM
If you squint your eyes, aphids are quite cute really...just not in huge numbers on our trees and plants! 🤔🪲
#aphid #greenfly #roseaphid #macro #closeup #entomology #pest #insectcloseup #britishwildlife #wildlife #wildlifephoto
#aphid #greenfly #roseaphid #macro #closeup #entomology #pest #insectcloseup #britishwildlife #wildlife #wildlifephoto
Last weekends orchard dining. 🍎🍏🍐🙂
July 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Last weekends orchard dining. 🍎🍏🍐🙂
So we have sunburn on susceptible varieties already! 😔
Our susceptible varieties are Rosette, Red Devil and Discovery. Thankfully most of our 153 varieties are fine.
Our susceptible varieties are Rosette, Red Devil and Discovery. Thankfully most of our 153 varieties are fine.
June 25, 2025 at 6:37 PM
So we have sunburn on susceptible varieties already! 😔
Our susceptible varieties are Rosette, Red Devil and Discovery. Thankfully most of our 153 varieties are fine.
Our susceptible varieties are Rosette, Red Devil and Discovery. Thankfully most of our 153 varieties are fine.
I just took delivery of the new apple "rainbow" from @frankpmatthews
You can see the leaves are starting to get their variegation which is unusual on an apple, the fruit and bark are stripey and all the one year growth has very red stripes too.
You can see the leaves are starting to get their variegation which is unusual on an apple, the fruit and bark are stripey and all the one year growth has very red stripes too.
June 19, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I just took delivery of the new apple "rainbow" from @frankpmatthews
You can see the leaves are starting to get their variegation which is unusual on an apple, the fruit and bark are stripey and all the one year growth has very red stripes too.
You can see the leaves are starting to get their variegation which is unusual on an apple, the fruit and bark are stripey and all the one year growth has very red stripes too.
The Quince are looking amazing...picture perfect in fact. There are lots and they are naturally perfectly spaced out.
That puts the pressure on a bit as they are VERY thirsty trees and the weather is not looking like we are getting rain.
That puts the pressure on a bit as they are VERY thirsty trees and the weather is not looking like we are getting rain.
June 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
The Quince are looking amazing...picture perfect in fact. There are lots and they are naturally perfectly spaced out.
That puts the pressure on a bit as they are VERY thirsty trees and the weather is not looking like we are getting rain.
That puts the pressure on a bit as they are VERY thirsty trees and the weather is not looking like we are getting rain.
Taming the apple and pear espaliers. I quite like how where I've been snakes off into the background.
Pruning these now keeps the shape, allows air and light into the tree, takes out unwanted growth and knocks back that energy into the tree.
Pruning these now keeps the shape, allows air and light into the tree, takes out unwanted growth and knocks back that energy into the tree.
June 15, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Taming the apple and pear espaliers. I quite like how where I've been snakes off into the background.
Pruning these now keeps the shape, allows air and light into the tree, takes out unwanted growth and knocks back that energy into the tree.
Pruning these now keeps the shape, allows air and light into the tree, takes out unwanted growth and knocks back that energy into the tree.
A great day yesterday visiting Capreolous Distilleries new Quince orchard and stunning meadow! It's wonderful to see orchards going in....rather than coming out! I'm really looking forward to watching this grow and I've never seen an orchard of just quince before. Exciting stuff!! 🙂
June 8, 2025 at 10:27 AM
A great day yesterday visiting Capreolous Distilleries new Quince orchard and stunning meadow! It's wonderful to see orchards going in....rather than coming out! I'm really looking forward to watching this grow and I've never seen an orchard of just quince before. Exciting stuff!! 🙂