Barry M
@barmas.bsky.social
Maker of Kertelreiter cider & perry. Planter of orchards. Pear freak, wannabe pomologist, cider historian, homebrewer, former beer blogger. Editor at Cider Review. ACA Certified Pommelier. Irish in Germany. Owned by a border collie.
Boards removed, geotextile removed, weight blocks removed.
For those wondering why there’s an electric fence around the site, a couple of years ago beavers moved in and ate 40 young trees from the other nursery. But this one is right beside an areas they have dammed, so not taking chances! 😁
For those wondering why there’s an electric fence around the site, a couple of years ago beavers moved in and ate 40 young trees from the other nursery. But this one is right beside an areas they have dammed, so not taking chances! 😁
February 14, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Boards removed, geotextile removed, weight blocks removed.
For those wondering why there’s an electric fence around the site, a couple of years ago beavers moved in and ate 40 young trees from the other nursery. But this one is right beside an areas they have dammed, so not taking chances! 😁
For those wondering why there’s an electric fence around the site, a couple of years ago beavers moved in and ate 40 young trees from the other nursery. But this one is right beside an areas they have dammed, so not taking chances! 😁
In the next couple of weeks, my friend and I will use a mini digger to excavate all of the trees out, separate out the 60 or so that I needed for planting this year, and then replant what remains in rows. They should then be much easier to dig out next year. But have a 2nd nursery too 🤦♂️
February 14, 2026 at 11:46 AM
In the next couple of weeks, my friend and I will use a mini digger to excavate all of the trees out, separate out the 60 or so that I needed for planting this year, and then replant what remains in rows. They should then be much easier to dig out next year. But have a 2nd nursery too 🤦♂️
My task today is to remove the boards from the small raised beds. Much easier than I expected because Rüdiger used a smart construction technique, with straps securing the corners together rather than everything screwed together.
February 14, 2026 at 11:44 AM
My task today is to remove the boards from the small raised beds. Much easier than I expected because Rüdiger used a smart construction technique, with straps securing the corners together rather than everything screwed together.
I’m feeling under pressure as a lot of of these trees need to get into the ground in the next 6 weeks. I realise at the end of last year that many of them have been too long in the nursery without being moved, & it’s extremely difficult to take them out by hand so I have a plan with a farmer friend
February 14, 2026 at 11:43 AM
I’m feeling under pressure as a lot of of these trees need to get into the ground in the next 6 weeks. I realise at the end of last year that many of them have been too long in the nursery without being moved, & it’s extremely difficult to take them out by hand so I have a plan with a farmer friend
Very nice! 😊 And YouTube translates on the fly 😁 Nice to see that family was also making a perry from it.
I have a few cooking pears in the collection, so looking forward to when they finally carry. They look nice and small compared to the monster Cattilac 😁
I have a few cooking pears in the collection, so looking forward to when they finally carry. They look nice and small compared to the monster Cattilac 😁
February 14, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Very nice! 😊 And YouTube translates on the fly 😁 Nice to see that family was also making a perry from it.
I have a few cooking pears in the collection, so looking forward to when they finally carry. They look nice and small compared to the monster Cattilac 😁
I have a few cooking pears in the collection, so looking forward to when they finally carry. They look nice and small compared to the monster Cattilac 😁
No rush! I’ll do a search through my collection of old German books this evening.
Is it this pear?
Is it this pear?
Association for the promotion of the Sarteau Pear of Draix, Associations in Draix | Alpes de Haute Provence Tourism
Association for the Promotion of the Sarteau Pear of Draix, Associations in Draix. This promotion aims to promote this pear through the maintenance and upkeep of the fruit heritage from which it origi...
en.tourisme-alpes-haute-provence.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:32 AM
No rush! I’ll do a search through my collection of old German books this evening.
Is it this pear?
Is it this pear?
Reposted by Barry M
Barry (@barmas.bsky.social) introduces the Swabian Cider Association, a representative group that has defined a quality standard for cider from this region, & a central marketing point for members. We taste throuh a box containing wares from five makers to see what this standard means.
A Schwäbischer Cider Tasting
Barry introduces the Swabian Cider Association via a tasting box containing wares from five makers.
cider-review.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Barry (@barmas.bsky.social) introduces the Swabian Cider Association, a representative group that has defined a quality standard for cider from this region, & a central marketing point for members. We taste throuh a box containing wares from five makers to see what this standard means.
Wondering if The Ritual counts as folk horror, @raynewman.bsky.social?
February 13, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Wondering if The Ritual counts as folk horror, @raynewman.bsky.social?
That’s very kind of you! Yeah, would love to know more, and I think I have a few spare rootstocks 😁
February 13, 2026 at 8:38 PM
That’s very kind of you! Yeah, would love to know more, and I think I have a few spare rootstocks 😁
I can understand the pull to do that. But part of me says it’s a big no-no due to the risk of bringing in diseases, unless from a reputable source.
February 13, 2026 at 7:14 PM
I can understand the pull to do that. But part of me says it’s a big no-no due to the risk of bringing in diseases, unless from a reputable source.
I have not! Sounds fun. Whatever about Perry pears, those kinds of pears that were usually used for drying and so are definitely mostly forgotten.
I wish I could read French. So many old pomology books I’d love to search through! The one subject I failed in end of year exams 😁
I wish I could read French. So many old pomology books I’d love to search through! The one subject I failed in end of year exams 😁
February 13, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I have not! Sounds fun. Whatever about Perry pears, those kinds of pears that were usually used for drying and so are definitely mostly forgotten.
I wish I could read French. So many old pomology books I’d love to search through! The one subject I failed in end of year exams 😁
I wish I could read French. So many old pomology books I’d love to search through! The one subject I failed in end of year exams 😁
Yeah, that’s rather extreme. Most want a few. I can’t even get 50 (another chap in Poland wants some from the same tree). So he gets what he gets. Can probably make 2 or 3 grafts from each stick if they stick to 2 or 3 buds each.
February 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Yeah, that’s rather extreme. Most want a few. I can’t even get 50 (another chap in Poland wants some from the same tree). So he gets what he gets. Can probably make 2 or 3 grafts from each stick if they stick to 2 or 3 buds each.
My new watch tells me that was a 4.5km walk for a bunch of sticks. I need to find some backups over the weekend, as could not get any from a couple of trees Anu and I visited. Luxemburger and Grüne Jagdbirne.
Anyway, I’ve been really looking forward to a beer all fucking week. Prost! 🍻
Anyway, I’ve been really looking forward to a beer all fucking week. Prost! 🍻
February 13, 2026 at 4:36 PM
My new watch tells me that was a 4.5km walk for a bunch of sticks. I need to find some backups over the weekend, as could not get any from a couple of trees Anu and I visited. Luxemburger and Grüne Jagdbirne.
Anyway, I’ve been really looking forward to a beer all fucking week. Prost! 🍻
Anyway, I’ve been really looking forward to a beer all fucking week. Prost! 🍻
Yes. Some offer to pay, but I generally just ask them to cover the postage costs. One chap offered me some in exchange, and though I hadn’t planned to graft anything this year, a couple unusual French varieties would be welcome 😁
February 13, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Yes. Some offer to pay, but I generally just ask them to cover the postage costs. One chap offered me some in exchange, and though I hadn’t planned to graft anything this year, a couple unusual French varieties would be welcome 😁
A case in point. Some new growth but very short and stubby, this is an old tree that still produces masses of fruit, but it’s reached a stage of its life where it’s not exactly throwing out lots of new branches.
February 13, 2026 at 4:04 PM
A case in point. Some new growth but very short and stubby, this is an old tree that still produces masses of fruit, but it’s reached a stage of its life where it’s not exactly throwing out lots of new branches.
That sounds kind of funny, as if these things don’t grow on trees, but with older trees it can be quite hard to find suitable growth. Trees that are regularly pruned and in a younger growing stage provide much better wood for grafting.
February 13, 2026 at 3:43 PM
That sounds kind of funny, as if these things don’t grow on trees, but with older trees it can be quite hard to find suitable growth. Trees that are regularly pruned and in a younger growing stage provide much better wood for grafting.
That time of year where I’m getting a lot of emails asking for scions from particular pear trees. I don’t advertise this, & I don’t offer any for sale, but people find out what I’ve got and start asking. I usually don’t mind, but if somebody asks for a 50 scion from one variety, it’s a bit much.
February 13, 2026 at 3:41 PM
That time of year where I’m getting a lot of emails asking for scions from particular pear trees. I don’t advertise this, & I don’t offer any for sale, but people find out what I’ve got and start asking. I usually don’t mind, but if somebody asks for a 50 scion from one variety, it’s a bit much.
If you don’t read German, the original article that they are highlighting is here. 😉
In Praise of the Part-Time Cider Maker
Barry sings a song of praise to part-time cider and perry makers, artisans with a deep commitment to craft, tradition and the land.
cider-review.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:32 PM
If you don’t read German, the original article that they are highlighting is here. 😉
Well that’s nice. In its latest newsletter, Hochstamm Deutschland highlighted the German translation of my Cider Review article on part time cider makers.
If you read German, here’s what they had to say about it, with a link to the blogpost on our site & other articles on what we do.
If you read German, here’s what they had to say about it, with a link to the blogpost on our site & other articles on what we do.
Stille Revolution der Ciderhersteller? - Hochstamm Deutschland e.V.
Ein Loblied auf die Ciderherstellerinnen und -hersteller im Nebenberuf.
www.hochstamm-deutschland.de
February 13, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Well that’s nice. In its latest newsletter, Hochstamm Deutschland highlighted the German translation of my Cider Review article on part time cider makers.
If you read German, here’s what they had to say about it, with a link to the blogpost on our site & other articles on what we do.
If you read German, here’s what they had to say about it, with a link to the blogpost on our site & other articles on what we do.
Just did, as I have gone to bed early. Enjoyed it, and the sounds. The delivery made it feel rather real!
February 12, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Just did, as I have gone to bed early. Enjoyed it, and the sounds. The delivery made it feel rather real!
Yeah, for homes. A few neighbours use wood exclusively to heat their homes (high tech boilers). That pile is our next door neighbour. They got an air-source heat pump (same as ours) some years ago but supplement with wood in winter. Though he told me they’d stop that soon he’s clearly still at it 😆
February 12, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Yeah, for homes. A few neighbours use wood exclusively to heat their homes (high tech boilers). That pile is our next door neighbour. They got an air-source heat pump (same as ours) some years ago but supplement with wood in winter. Though he told me they’d stop that soon he’s clearly still at it 😆
Hoping it arrives tomorrow. I want it now! 😆
February 11, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Hoping it arrives tomorrow. I want it now! 😆
Had a bit of a cider tasting tonight with two friends, needed material for an article. Always fun to get others give their input. Won’t give spoilers now, but might have developed diabetes
February 10, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Had a bit of a cider tasting tonight with two friends, needed material for an article. Always fun to get others give their input. Won’t give spoilers now, but might have developed diabetes