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're thrilled to be running our Certificate in Community Orcharding Course (CICO) at #RHS Garden Wisley this Spring.
Save £200 if you book before 14 Feb with our Early Bird prices. We also have a small number of subsidised places: 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/cicow...
#CommunityOrchards
Save £200 if you book before 14 Feb with our Early Bird prices. We also have a small number of subsidised places: 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/cicow...
#CommunityOrchards
February 5, 2026 at 2:36 PM
We're thrilled to be running our Certificate in Community Orcharding Course (CICO) at #RHS Garden Wisley this Spring.
Save £200 if you book before 14 Feb with our Early Bird prices. We also have a small number of subsidised places: 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/cicow...
#CommunityOrchards
Save £200 if you book before 14 Feb with our Early Bird prices. We also have a small number of subsidised places: 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/cicow...
#CommunityOrchards
Reposted by Orchard Notes
A great article by Alberto Ramos Luz from @teagasc.bsky.social on apple growing in New Zealand, published in Horticulture Connected
horticultureconnected.ie/news/the-fut...
horticultureconnected.ie/news/the-fut...
The Future of Apple Growing: Insights from New Zealand - HorticultureConnected.ie
As an Irish fruit research officer, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to New Zealand, a country renowned for its cutting-edge apple industry; it is the world’s 6th-largest apple exporter, wor...
horticultureconnected.ie
February 4, 2026 at 1:48 PM
A great article by Alberto Ramos Luz from @teagasc.bsky.social on apple growing in New Zealand, published in Horticulture Connected
horticultureconnected.ie/news/the-fut...
horticultureconnected.ie/news/the-fut...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Sheppy’s Cider welcomed the local community to its annual Wassailing evening, with more than 450 at the cider farm, near Taunton, to celebrate the ancient winter tradition beertoday.co.uk/2026/02/04/s... #cider #cidernews #wassail
Sheppy’s welcomes 450 to Wassail event - Beer Today
Sheppy’s Cider welcomed the local community to its annual Wassailing evening, with more than 450 at the cider farm to celebrate the ancient winter tradition
beertoday.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Sheppy’s Cider welcomed the local community to its annual Wassailing evening, with more than 450 at the cider farm, near Taunton, to celebrate the ancient winter tradition beertoday.co.uk/2026/02/04/s... #cider #cidernews #wassail
Reposted by Orchard Notes
This postcard was from Wiveliscombe, Somerset from a photograph by George William French (1868-1940) who lived in the nearby area of Chardstock and Whitestaunton in Somerset. He was known for producing postcards of local social history and scenes. #postcards #Somerset #apples
February 2, 2026 at 7:49 PM
This postcard was from Wiveliscombe, Somerset from a photograph by George William French (1868-1940) who lived in the nearby area of Chardstock and Whitestaunton in Somerset. He was known for producing postcards of local social history and scenes. #postcards #Somerset #apples
Reposted by Orchard Notes
There are so many great opportunities to get stuck into some winter pruning with us this month. Whether you’re just starting out, or want to volunteer your existing skills, see if there's any events happening near you: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-orchar...
#CommunityOrchards #Pruning
#CommunityOrchards #Pruning
February 3, 2026 at 7:30 PM
There are so many great opportunities to get stuck into some winter pruning with us this month. Whether you’re just starting out, or want to volunteer your existing skills, see if there's any events happening near you: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-orchar...
#CommunityOrchards #Pruning
#CommunityOrchards #Pruning
Reposted by Orchard Notes
February is the time for working in the vineyard: pruning the vines; and tying the vines to poles.
#MedievalCalendar
Morgan Library MS M.399; Da Costa hours, illuminated by Simon Bening; ca. 1515 CE; Belgium; f.3v
#MedievalCalendar
Morgan Library MS M.399; Da Costa hours, illuminated by Simon Bening; ca. 1515 CE; Belgium; f.3v
January 30, 2026 at 5:24 PM
February is the time for working in the vineyard: pruning the vines; and tying the vines to poles.
#MedievalCalendar
Morgan Library MS M.399; Da Costa hours, illuminated by Simon Bening; ca. 1515 CE; Belgium; f.3v
#MedievalCalendar
Morgan Library MS M.399; Da Costa hours, illuminated by Simon Bening; ca. 1515 CE; Belgium; f.3v
Reposted by Orchard Notes
These ginger-spiced pears in wine are easy to make and are perfect if you have a few not-quite-ripe pears in your fruit bowl. The recipe is FREE to download during February.
buymeacoffee.com/monksmmc/e/48571
buymeacoffee.com/monksmmc/e/48571
Recipe: Pears in Syrup (Peerus in Confyt), c. 1390
This easy to follow recipe, taken from Richard II's cookery book, uses two wines and, for its spice, 'blaunche poudour', which gives a warming, gingery kick. Included are the original medieval recipe,
buymeacoffee.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:45 PM
These ginger-spiced pears in wine are easy to make and are perfect if you have a few not-quite-ripe pears in your fruit bowl. The recipe is FREE to download during February.
buymeacoffee.com/monksmmc/e/48571
buymeacoffee.com/monksmmc/e/48571
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Apple consumers in Ireland. Please help Jean with his research. Feel free to repost to reach a larger audience. forms.office.com/e/jdyayh7JaG
January 30, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Apple consumers in Ireland. Please help Jean with his research. Feel free to repost to reach a larger audience. forms.office.com/e/jdyayh7JaG
Reposted by Orchard Notes
🍏 We're looking for a Project Manager who loves community orchards as much as we do to join our team in #Manchester.
Sounds like you? Apply now 👉 bit.ly/4bF6AHV
⏰ Deadline: 8 February 2026
#CommunityOrchards #GreenJobs
Sounds like you? Apply now 👉 bit.ly/4bF6AHV
⏰ Deadline: 8 February 2026
#CommunityOrchards #GreenJobs
January 30, 2026 at 9:04 AM
🍏 We're looking for a Project Manager who loves community orchards as much as we do to join our team in #Manchester.
Sounds like you? Apply now 👉 bit.ly/4bF6AHV
⏰ Deadline: 8 February 2026
#CommunityOrchards #GreenJobs
Sounds like you? Apply now 👉 bit.ly/4bF6AHV
⏰ Deadline: 8 February 2026
#CommunityOrchards #GreenJobs
Reposted by Orchard Notes
This red-skinned apple with rosy red pigmentation around the core has high anthocyanin expression!
January 31, 2026 at 1:09 PM
This red-skinned apple with rosy red pigmentation around the core has high anthocyanin expression!
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Apples, sourced from gardens around Edinburgh, magicked into a truly Scottish eau de vie. This week's story is about making new friends, pubs, and pochle, a spirit named after a tradition.
Close to the Tree — Pochle, Edinburgh’s Communal Apple Spirit — Pellicle share.google/bdasjYtbOzpi...
Close to the Tree — Pochle, Edinburgh’s Communal Apple Spirit — Pellicle share.google/bdasjYtbOzpi...
Close to the Tree — Pochle, Edinburgh’s Communal Apple Spirit — Pellicle
Chris Miles is a quiet man. He is soft-spoken, sometimes even a little reserved, but always friendly. It helps that it’s a celebratory occasion when we meet: We’re at The Penny Black, his second pub i...
share.google
January 28, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Apples, sourced from gardens around Edinburgh, magicked into a truly Scottish eau de vie. This week's story is about making new friends, pubs, and pochle, a spirit named after a tradition.
Close to the Tree — Pochle, Edinburgh’s Communal Apple Spirit — Pellicle share.google/bdasjYtbOzpi...
Close to the Tree — Pochle, Edinburgh’s Communal Apple Spirit — Pellicle share.google/bdasjYtbOzpi...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
There aren’t many outlets that post such regular content dedicated to cider. And though we only publish once a week this year (last year was a blistering twice a week), I’m proud of the coverage we give. We don’t get mentioned much on socials or beer sites, but if you like this kind of content… 🙂
November 15, 2025 at 9:23 AM
There aren’t many outlets that post such regular content dedicated to cider. And though we only publish once a week this year (last year was a blistering twice a week), I’m proud of the coverage we give. We don’t get mentioned much on socials or beer sites, but if you like this kind of content… 🙂
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Palate cleanser, anyone?
adamapples.blogspot.com/2026/01/neig...
adamapples.blogspot.com/2026/01/neig...
Neighborly apples
I don't eat half of these apple varieites half as often as I should like, and I like less than half of them half as well as they deserve.
adamapples.blogspot.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Palate cleanser, anyone?
adamapples.blogspot.com/2026/01/neig...
adamapples.blogspot.com/2026/01/neig...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Thanks to your generous donations we raised a grand total of £15,210 to support our Project Team to plant & restore more community orchards across the UK. Your kindness is going to make a real difference this year. Take a moment to read some of the lovely messages shared with us during the campaign.
January 26, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Thanks to your generous donations we raised a grand total of £15,210 to support our Project Team to plant & restore more community orchards across the UK. Your kindness is going to make a real difference this year. Take a moment to read some of the lovely messages shared with us during the campaign.
I've just used ChatGPT for a technical query into the genetics of apple 'bud-sports'. Very helpful results came back, but the damn thing signed off with "Good luck with the research, and enjoy the rabbit hole 🐇🍎"
I think it's beginning to understand me just a little too well 😂
I think it's beginning to understand me just a little too well 😂
January 26, 2026 at 9:26 AM
I've just used ChatGPT for a technical query into the genetics of apple 'bud-sports'. Very helpful results came back, but the damn thing signed off with "Good luck with the research, and enjoy the rabbit hole 🐇🍎"
I think it's beginning to understand me just a little too well 😂
I think it's beginning to understand me just a little too well 😂
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Are we entering a global cider [email protected]
Are we entering a global cider renaissance?
A resurgence in cider is being celebrated across the international market with “emerging and exciting flavour profiles” and “experimentation”. db finds out more about how the trend is taking shape.
www.thedrinksbusiness.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Are we entering a global cider [email protected]
Reposted by Orchard Notes
If you're a patient grower (they can take up to 10 years to fruit!) mulberry might be the tree you never knew you needed....
Read more in our blog (and growing guide) 👉
www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/mulberr...
Read more in our blog (and growing guide) 👉
www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/mulberr...
Mulberry: the wisest of trees - The Orchard Project
It’s early January and -6 degrees outside. A heavy frost coats the grass around the old mulberry tree near to where I live in north-west London. The chocolate-brown buds are tightly closed and will st...
www.theorchardproject.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 3:39 PM
If you're a patient grower (they can take up to 10 years to fruit!) mulberry might be the tree you never knew you needed....
Read more in our blog (and growing guide) 👉
www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/mulberr...
Read more in our blog (and growing guide) 👉
www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/mulberr...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Looks like a great event 💚
🌳Join Ben Raskin, @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social's @vickihird.bsky.social, farmer Mark Lea, & Bee Happy Plants' Sarah Holdsworth for free webinar on #agroforestry for #pollinators
🐝Boost #biodiversity, improve #productivity & build #resilience
📅 24 Feb, 7pm
🔗 www.eventbrite.com/e/1977367740...
🐝Boost #biodiversity, improve #productivity & build #resilience
📅 24 Feb, 7pm
🔗 www.eventbrite.com/e/1977367740...
January 22, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Looks like a great event 💚
Reposted by Orchard Notes
This year seems to have brought about more #wassails than ever! Our favourite orchard tradition 💚
www.countrylife.co.uk/people/makin...
www.countrylife.co.uk/people/makin...
Making sense of the cider soaked wassail
The cacophonous, cider-slinging midwinter tradition of wassailing is an ancient one that continues to this day. Laura Parker offers a toast to harvests anew
www.countrylife.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 4:45 PM
This year seems to have brought about more #wassails than ever! Our favourite orchard tradition 💚
www.countrylife.co.uk/people/makin...
www.countrylife.co.uk/people/makin...
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Just used AI to find the earliest written record of the apocryphal story that Napoleon said perry was the English champagne. And the reference is only 20 years old! The Independent newspaper of 2005 by Mark MacKenzie. Any earlier references fellow sleuths? #perry #cider #History #Napoleon
January 18, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Reposted by Orchard Notes
Charles Martel is a perry aficionado farmer & cheese maker in England. “They’re important for the countryside because they soften the climate by acting as a windbreak You don’t get swallows in a cornfield; you get swallows in orchards, which should be grazed by cattle”. Photo Hartpury Heritage Trust
January 16, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Charles Martel is a perry aficionado farmer & cheese maker in England. “They’re important for the countryside because they soften the climate by acting as a windbreak You don’t get swallows in a cornfield; you get swallows in orchards, which should be grazed by cattle”. Photo Hartpury Heritage Trust
Reposted by Orchard Notes
HOCO’s Wassail is on Saturday 2pm to 4pm. Let’s wake the trees up! It’s a fundraiser for the orchard – please book in advance (only £5, accompanied children free): www.ticketsource.co.uk/orchard-lear.... Juice & cake for sale (cash only). #Bristol #apple #orchard Info: www.community-orchard.org.uk
January 15, 2026 at 9:27 PM
HOCO’s Wassail is on Saturday 2pm to 4pm. Let’s wake the trees up! It’s a fundraiser for the orchard – please book in advance (only £5, accompanied children free): www.ticketsource.co.uk/orchard-lear.... Juice & cake for sale (cash only). #Bristol #apple #orchard Info: www.community-orchard.org.uk
Reposted by Orchard Notes
A winter's afternoon in the linear orchard. Dormant apple trees back-lit by the setting sun.
Walled garden, National Trust Quarry Bank, 13/01/26
#apples #orchard #NTQBfruit 📷: DT
Walled garden, National Trust Quarry Bank, 13/01/26
#apples #orchard #NTQBfruit 📷: DT
January 15, 2026 at 9:48 AM
A winter's afternoon in the linear orchard. Dormant apple trees back-lit by the setting sun.
Walled garden, National Trust Quarry Bank, 13/01/26
#apples #orchard #NTQBfruit 📷: DT
Walled garden, National Trust Quarry Bank, 13/01/26
#apples #orchard #NTQBfruit 📷: DT
