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
Worth clicking past the pop-ups and invoking Google Translate to read about this Dutch apple sleuth #apples
@chuckwendig.bsky.social Story about an Italian apple hunter! With the extra benefit that fruit can be identified through Renaissance paintings.
(article in Dutch though...)
www.trouw.nl/duurzaamheid...
(article in Dutch though...)
www.trouw.nl/duurzaamheid...
Italiaanse fruitdetective zet vergeten fruitsoorten weer op de kaart. ‘We raken anders onze cultuur kwijt’
De Italiaanse landbouwkundige Isabella Dalla Ragione haalt vergeten appel- en perensoorten uit de vergetelheid.
www.trouw.nl
November 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Worth clicking past the pop-ups and invoking Google Translate to read about this Dutch apple sleuth #apples
Reposted by Orchard Notes
The smell of cinnamon, cloves and heirloom apples buttering with a fire in the wood stove. Perfection.
My skills were not made for this century.
My skills were not made for this century.
November 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The smell of cinnamon, cloves and heirloom apples buttering with a fire in the wood stove. Perfection.
My skills were not made for this century.
My skills were not made for this century.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
🌳 It’s #NationalTreeWeek, marking the start of tree planting season! Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the theme is 'A Future Filled With Trees'. The Tree Council and their partners are running a series of free online tree talks and events 👉 lght.ly/nlbg1o7
#CommunityOrchards
#CommunityOrchards
November 24, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🌳 It’s #NationalTreeWeek, marking the start of tree planting season! Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the theme is 'A Future Filled With Trees'. The Tree Council and their partners are running a series of free online tree talks and events 👉 lght.ly/nlbg1o7
#CommunityOrchards
#CommunityOrchards
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Still a few scruffy apples around - Pitmaston Pineapple I think? - which at this time of year, and after a couple of hard frosts, taste more of pear than anything else.
November 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Still a few scruffy apples around - Pitmaston Pineapple I think? - which at this time of year, and after a couple of hard frosts, taste more of pear than anything else.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
If you're stuck for ideas as to how to do something a bit different with this year's massive fruit harvests, I have a growing collection - 125 and counting - of historical and modern orchard and soft fruit recipes, wherein you might find a bit of inspiration:
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
November 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
If you're stuck for ideas as to how to do something a bit different with this year's massive fruit harvests, I have a growing collection - 125 and counting - of historical and modern orchard and soft fruit recipes, wherein you might find a bit of inspiration:
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
If you're stuck for ideas as to how to do something a bit different with this year's massive fruit harvests, I have a growing collection - 125 and counting - of historical and modern orchard and soft fruit recipes, wherein you might find a bit of inspiration:
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
November 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
If you're stuck for ideas as to how to do something a bit different with this year's massive fruit harvests, I have a growing collection - 125 and counting - of historical and modern orchard and soft fruit recipes, wherein you might find a bit of inspiration:
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
orchardnotes.com/fruit-recipes/
Anyone for Apple Snow? Nellie Willey's 1887 recipe explains how to make best use of a bit of apple purée and a leftover egg white. Plus: custard!
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/23/n...
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/23/n...
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Anyone for Apple Snow? Nellie Willey's 1887 recipe explains how to make best use of a bit of apple purée and a leftover egg white. Plus: custard!
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/23/n...
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/23/n...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Here's part one of my 2025 Fruit Harvest Highlights!
A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.
Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...
Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.
Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...
Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Here's part one of my 2025 Fruit Harvest Highlights!
A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.
Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...
Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.
Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...
Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
Here's part one of my 2025 Fruit Harvest Highlights!
A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.
Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...
Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.
Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...
Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Here's part one of my 2025 Fruit Harvest Highlights!
A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.
Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...
Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
A summer special, featuring stone fruits, soft fruits, early apples, melons, figs, and more.
Loads more photos, thoughts and notes:
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/22/f...
Part two - autumn apples, pears and more - to follow...
Apple 'Court of Wick', in the walled garden at NT Quarry Bank earlier this week. Dozens of bright, orange-red apples still dot its leafless branches.
They've really improved in flavour since we started picking them back in September. Patience is a virtue, if the tree isn't for dropping.
They've really improved in flavour since we started picking them back in September. Patience is a virtue, if the tree isn't for dropping.
November 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Apple 'Court of Wick', in the walled garden at NT Quarry Bank earlier this week. Dozens of bright, orange-red apples still dot its leafless branches.
They've really improved in flavour since we started picking them back in September. Patience is a virtue, if the tree isn't for dropping.
They've really improved in flavour since we started picking them back in September. Patience is a virtue, if the tree isn't for dropping.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
cox orange apples, painted by deborah griscom passmore, 1905
November 22, 2025 at 8:18 AM
cox orange apples, painted by deborah griscom passmore, 1905
Reposted by Orchard Notes
The last Bayerische Weinbirne.
November 22, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The last Bayerische Weinbirne.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Grapes and pomegranate planted in the glasshouse today. We aim to grow the grapes up in to the eaves and then train along the rafters. This will add dappled shade to plants below while also giving a harvest.
November 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Grapes and pomegranate planted in the glasshouse today. We aim to grow the grapes up in to the eaves and then train along the rafters. This will add dappled shade to plants below while also giving a harvest.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
It does make me laugh that the Kiwis are absolutely fine every single day. Then the first proper frost makes it say "nope" and every leaf comes off.
Some plants have proper personalities...or maybe I've been around them for too long! 😄
Anyway, the kiwis are harvested, that is now all the fruit in!
Some plants have proper personalities...or maybe I've been around them for too long! 😄
Anyway, the kiwis are harvested, that is now all the fruit in!
November 18, 2025 at 9:25 PM
It does make me laugh that the Kiwis are absolutely fine every single day. Then the first proper frost makes it say "nope" and every leaf comes off.
Some plants have proper personalities...or maybe I've been around them for too long! 😄
Anyway, the kiwis are harvested, that is now all the fruit in!
Some plants have proper personalities...or maybe I've been around them for too long! 😄
Anyway, the kiwis are harvested, that is now all the fruit in!
Reposted by Orchard Notes
How to you design your forest garden or orchard space? Jo Homan shares how she uses a low-tech option to get a real feel for how the finished design will work: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/orchard...
#CommununityOrchards #Permaculture
#CommununityOrchards #Permaculture
Orchards: better by design - The Orchard Project
Jo Homan introduces the Orchard Design Kit and explains why she finds working with 3D pieces helps her create better orchards.
www.theorchardproject.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:45 AM
How to you design your forest garden or orchard space? Jo Homan shares how she uses a low-tech option to get a real feel for how the finished design will work: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/orchard...
#CommununityOrchards #Permaculture
#CommununityOrchards #Permaculture
Reposted by Orchard Notes
@tudorplaces.bsky.social issue 20 is out! As autumn fades into winter, come and walk with me into our orchard where we grow fruit known and appreciated in Tudor times.
November 17, 2025 at 7:35 AM
@tudorplaces.bsky.social issue 20 is out! As autumn fades into winter, come and walk with me into our orchard where we grow fruit known and appreciated in Tudor times.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Current reading: Why we thrive beneath a northern sky - genomic signals of selection in apple for adaptation to northern Sweden (2024) by Skytte et al.
Much information on genetic testing of apples, and viability of cultivar growth in climate-affected high latitudes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Much information on genetic testing of apples, and viability of cultivar growth in climate-affected high latitudes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 17, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Current reading: Why we thrive beneath a northern sky - genomic signals of selection in apple for adaptation to northern Sweden (2024) by Skytte et al.
Much information on genetic testing of apples, and viability of cultivar growth in climate-affected high latitudes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Much information on genetic testing of apples, and viability of cultivar growth in climate-affected high latitudes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Well-bletted Medlars and a smidge of sugar are all you need to turn boring old Vodka into an Apple Crumble-ish spirit. I would imagine you could add a couple of Cinnamon Sticks too if that’s the way you swing…
#SundayDram #Medlars 🌱
#SundayDram #Medlars 🌱
November 16, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Well-bletted Medlars and a smidge of sugar are all you need to turn boring old Vodka into an Apple Crumble-ish spirit. I would imagine you could add a couple of Cinnamon Sticks too if that’s the way you swing…
#SundayDram #Medlars 🌱
#SundayDram #Medlars 🌱
Reposted by Orchard Notes
A week today we'll be at Washingpool Farm Shop's Producers Fest 25, offering tastings of a selection of our small-batch Dorset ciders. Come along and say hello!
November 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
A week today we'll be at Washingpool Farm Shop's Producers Fest 25, offering tastings of a selection of our small-batch Dorset ciders. Come along and say hello!
Reposted by Orchard Notes
A Melange of Charnwood Cider Bottlings.
Jack tastes through seven creations from Leicestershire's Charnwood Cider.
Jack tastes through seven creations from Leicestershire's Charnwood Cider.
A Melange of Charnwood Cider Bottlings
Jack tastes through seven creations from Leicestershire’s Charnwood Cider.
cider-review.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:32 AM
A Melange of Charnwood Cider Bottlings.
Jack tastes through seven creations from Leicestershire's Charnwood Cider.
Jack tastes through seven creations from Leicestershire's Charnwood Cider.
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Anyone for mini baked apples with a flapjack stuffing?
Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...
#apples #recipe
Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...
#apples #recipe
November 16, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Anyone for mini baked apples with a flapjack stuffing?
Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...
#apples #recipe
Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...
#apples #recipe
Reposted by Orchard Notes
One of the very best russet apples I've ever had! And I can't tell for sure what it should be called.
Even the UK's National Fruit Collection seems muddled about that.
adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/11/roya...
Even the UK's National Fruit Collection seems muddled about that.
adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/11/roya...
Royal Russet (Brown Russet)
The origins of this apple are unclear, but it is crisp and good.
adamapples.blogspot.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:01 PM
One of the very best russet apples I've ever had! And I can't tell for sure what it should be called.
Even the UK's National Fruit Collection seems muddled about that.
adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/11/roya...
Even the UK's National Fruit Collection seems muddled about that.
adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/11/roya...
Anyone for mini baked apples with a flapjack stuffing?
Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...
#apples #recipe
Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...
#apples #recipe
November 16, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Anyone for mini baked apples with a flapjack stuffing?
Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...
#apples #recipe
Quick and easy to make, a great way to use up smaller apples, and absolutely delicious with lashings of creamy custard 😋
orchardnotes.com/2025/11/16/h...
#apples #recipe
Reposted by Orchard Notes
November 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Yesterday's 50mph+ wind gusts: "Right you lot, let's be having you on the ground!"
Apple 'Delbard Jubile', this afternoon: "Nope."
Apple 'Delbard Jubile', this afternoon: "Nope."
November 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Yesterday's 50mph+ wind gusts: "Right you lot, let's be having you on the ground!"
Apple 'Delbard Jubile', this afternoon: "Nope."
Apple 'Delbard Jubile', this afternoon: "Nope."