Orchard Notes

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

The little apples and pears are forming. Looks like a good set. Here’s to a good harvest. 💝

A grafting update, 95% of the recent whip grafts have taken and are growing well. Cutting back the none graft branches now there are functioning leaves on the graft. Grafts include our own perry pear "Carterton" and some wild pear close to Pyrus pyraster genome.

We are working to make everyone's visit to the museum as enjoyable as possible, and have created this guide to provide information on what support we are able to offer currently 🌟 We would love to hear your thoughts on what you find helps to enrich your visitor experience at museums in the comments.

"The West Rainton & Leamside Green Group received a £1,400 Banks Community Fund grant to install the board at its orchard on the site of former Middle Rainton. The board highlights the plants and animals found around the orchard, a popular spot for walkers and dog owners." (via Northern Echo)

Has anyone made, or tried to make "apple sugar"? Would anyone attempt such a thing these days? If you're intrigued, then Arnold James Cooley's 1845 method might not be the most precise, but it does sound follow-able: orchardnotes.com/2026/10/24/a...

Anyone for Buttered Onions (and Apples)? Might seem odd at first glance - onions, plus apples, butter, sugar and cinnamon - but when you think about it, it's not a million miles from onion marmalade. Might make for a rather pleasant side to go with sausages etc? orchardnotes.com/2026/10/23/r...

'Scruffy' looks like an Ashmead's Kernel / Blenheim Orange tribute act to me. Lovely bit of russeting, great colour and Adam says the sweetness, acid, juice and crunch are all good. If I was based in the US I'd definitely buy this one, over and over again 😋

"Some of Devon’s most remarkable #apples have been hiding in plain sight for generations, their names forgotten and their stories lost, but now a remarkable project is giving these mysterious fruits a second chance to shine." (via Exmouth Journal)

In my latest Orchard Notes blog post I take a look at healed z-graft unions on young apple trees. Callus formation, supporting tissue bulges, potential points of weakness, comparison with whip/tongue... all sorts of geeky #grafting stuff: orchardnotes.com/2026/10/25/h... #orchard #apples

"The “Bembridge Beauty” tree now stands at Simeon Green in Newport ... Brian Deacon of Grafters Nursery assisted with the planting and will return in February to graft additional varieties onto the tree, creating a multi-variety apple tree." (via Isle of Wight County Press)

Visible from Space 🌱

"The “Bembridge Beauty” tree now stands at Simeon Green in Newport ... Brian Deacon of Grafters Nursery assisted with the planting and will return in February to graft additional varieties onto the tree, creating a multi-variety apple tree." (via Isle of Wight County Press)

Fruit trees benefit all sorts of wildlife, including bees, bats and birds. But around two thirds of UK orchards have been lost since 1960. Planting an apple tree in your garden or community can really help to boost biodiversity. A guide to what to grow: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/cho...

"Some of Devon’s most remarkable #apples have been hiding in plain sight for generations, their names forgotten and their stories lost, but now a remarkable project is giving these mysterious fruits a second chance to shine." (via Exmouth Journal)

'Scruffy' looks like an Ashmead's Kernel / Blenheim Orange tribute act to me. Lovely bit of russeting, great colour and Adam says the sweetness, acid, juice and crunch are all good. If I was based in the US I'd definitely buy this one, over and over again 😋

#Harvest. I always forget that this may be my favourite time of year. #October

Anyone for Buttered Onions (and Apples)? Might seem odd at first glance - onions, plus apples, butter, sugar and cinnamon - but when you think about it, it's not a million miles from onion marmalade. Might make for a rather pleasant side to go with sausages etc? orchardnotes.com/2026/10/23/r...

In my latest Orchard Notes blog post I take a look at healed z-graft unions on young apple trees. Callus formation, supporting tissue bulges, potential points of weakness, comparison with whip/tongue... all sorts of geeky #grafting stuff: orchardnotes.com/2026/10/25/h... #orchard #apples

Me in October

Has anyone made, or tried to make "apple sugar"? Would anyone attempt such a thing these days? If you're intrigued, then Arnold James Cooley's 1845 method might not be the most precise, but it does sound follow-able: orchardnotes.com/2026/10/24/a...

One perfect apple hanging over a sidewalk near this fence. I've read fairytales. I've seen horror movies. I know a trap when I see one.

Beware these links for malware, adware, redirect loops, phishing, spam. Eager eyes will notice the ones I posted two months ago have all swapped their domains to bdqqxgy[dot]monster domain to evade security blacklisting. These addresses change constantly. Will repost your content to look legit #spam

Picked the remaining quince hanging on the tree in front of our house before the winds come. Huge! The quince seemed to like the dry, hot summer.

"The donation, from Wareham Beerex's autumn event, will support Wareham Area Men's Shed in building a new community workshop on land at Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club." (via Dorset Echo)

"Clearing away debris, fruits, and mummies ensures that no pathogens or fungi can overwinter on or around the tree and infect your fruit trees next year. It is an important task to add to your fall gardening checklist." (via Homes and Gardens)

Been picking some Howgate Wonder #apples in advance if this weekend's high winds. There are some whoppers - this one weighing in at 440g. Not a record for my tree but still pretty impressive 🍎

"Hundreds enjoy Chipping Campden Apple Day and raise £1,300 for hospice at home charity Campden Home Nursing" (via stratford Herald)

"Cursus Cider & Music Festival 2027 runs from 28 May to 30 May at Myncen Farm, Minchington, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8DH, as a music festival focused on folk, punk and ska." (via UKFestivalGuides.com)

Fresh Apple Kimchi? Intriguing... 🤔

Let's get ready to crumble... #foodmemories #food #foodsky #cooksky 🍜 www.youtube.com/watch?v=nend...

@arbutocrat.bsky.social has been making mini-zines of local heritage apples that are ripe each month (or in the case of October early October striped apples, early October yellow and green apples, late October striped apples, late October yellow and green apples, late October russet apples...

Happy #appleday, everyone.

Happy #AppleDay to this apple and this apple only 👺 Photo by reader, Debbie Kirkham

Can anyone suggest a variety for these delicious windfall #apples from a garden in Topsham near #Exeter ? They have sweet crisp white flesh. #AppleDay

How to celebrate #AppleDay? Make Early Modern apple pie, of course.🥧 IMEMS member Dr Amanda Herbert used 17th & 18th century recipes to do just that at Old Durham Gardens this weekend. 🍎

Today is #AppleDay! Did you know that over 30,000 sightings of crab apple trees have been recorded in burial grounds across the UK thanks to the work of the National Biodiversity Network’s burial grounds atlas: burialgrounds.nbnatlas.org

Ha! Happy National #AppleDay!

Happy #AppleDay! I could have written a whole book of apple lore. But my favourite tradition was Crabbing the Parson. On St Kenelm's day the vicar of Kenelstowe was bombarded with crab apples. Sacks of them were stored up for villagers. Alas, no one throws crab apples any more...

Apples are a nutritious, versatile, and delicious addition to any diet. Packed with essential nutrients, they provide a natural and convenient way to support your overall health 🍏 Discover more about the nutrition of apples this #AppleDay ⤵️

Tomorrow is #AppleDay 🍎 There's still time to get organised... and what better way to celebrate than with a homemade apple pie? Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is a recipe from c.1940, found among the papers of the Burrows family of Mapperley and West Hallam. #apple #recipe

Apple Day is an annual custom that was introduced in the UK by the arts and environmental charity, Common Ground, #OnThisDay 36 years ago in 1990. Visit our blog to find out more about #AppleDay and the Common Ground archive! ➡️ specialcollections.exeter.ac.uk/2018/10/16/a... 📷 EUL MS 416/PRO/8/4/3

2. Rustic Apple Almond Tart: www.seiskamimura.com/home/rustic-... #vegan #veganfood #appletart #appleday #nationalappleday

Apples in an Overturned Basket, n.d., by #EloiseHarrietStannard (#EloiseStannard; British, 1829-1915). Held at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery; source, www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=... #womenartists #artherstory #AppleDay #NationalAppleDay

#Appleday It is my pleasure to photograph old apple varieties. This is a Cat’s Head (Cat’s Yud in my home dialect). It’s a great cooking apple & derives its name by resembling the size and shape of a cat’s head (obvs) See post below

#AppleDay our original apple is the crab apple, or 'scribe' in Cumbrian dialects. It's a magical tree with the power of healing, and used by Druids to journey into The Otherworld more: 'Folklore of the Lake District' bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #folklore #druidry #booksky

Did #Roman wine smell like apples? #AppleDay 🍎 Stored in ceramic vessels called dolia, the porous clay allowed for oxidation during fermentation, imparting a slightly spicy flavour and aromas of toasted bread, roasted walnuts, curry and apples! (£) doi.org/10.15184/aqy... 🏺 #Archaeology

Oranges are not the only fruit. It is #AppleDay - an event celebrated in the UK since 1990. This is my contribution. All shop bought, as my trees stopped producing back in early September, but they not from the supermarket. Good old-fashioned types. #ECK #Photography #Fruit

Red apples and raindrops in the garden. #Appleday #ColorADay #RedWed #photography

On 21 October, we celebrate #AppleDay. Dorset and Somerset folklore tells of Lazy Lawrence, a green-eyed pixy pony who gallops through orchards guarding apples. His name is said to refer to the inability to walk after drinking too much cider: “Lazy Lawrence has got your legs!” 🍎