Orchard babies: November 2025

Despite winter overstaying its welcome, the glorious blossoms of spring have now largely given way to the emerging crops of summer. The orchard’s inhabitants are busily

shedding their petals to reveal a multitude of baby fruits. While some of these infants are little more than a tiny round bulge on the end of a long stalk, some adopt their final form in miniature from the outset.

The Durondeau pear, developed by Belgian Charles Louis Durondeau in the early 19th Century, sets a cluster of perfectly formed tiny brown pears, each displaying their classic shape from the very beginning. It has a pronounced aromatic, fresh-sweet-sour taste and boasts a beautiful russet hue where its skin meets the sun. Not to be outdone, the remarkable Huonville Crab has traded its bright crimson blooms for deep red fruit. Discovered by Bob Magnus in the Huon Valley of Tasmania, its best known for its striking red flesh and its tart and sweet fruit that often makes its way into jelly, juice or jams. Completing the trio of pome fruits are the wonderful quinces, here represented by Fullers quince. Tiny now but destined to grow into large pear-shaped, lemon yellow fruits that ripen in the warmth of autumn. Once cooked, the flavour and aroma is intoxicating as are the jellies and pastes that the creative souls of Glenlyon eagerly create.

Equally at home in jellies and jams are the Redcurrants that share their enclosure with the raspberries. Its hard to believe that the clusters of what appears to be green peppercorns will, within the month, be transformed into glowing red jewels, ready to adorn our Christmas tables

And should the weather gods give us some long-overdue warm days and sunny skies, there are one or two blueberries waiting in the wings. Fingers crossed, the cropping should begin just before Christmas Day. Just like a proud parent, I wait in anticipation of this season’s bounty.