
Hobbs Family
Bird cannons!!!
Our bird scarers, Big Bertha and Captain Jack, our gas-fired bird scarers, are being cranked up shortly in the Cherry block 







They are so excited 





The birds have finally realised what is under the nets and are in attack mode 


They are a bit late this year, much to our joy 





If you are driving past, please remember that they are gas-fired, nobody is being harmed 

They certainly don’t do any damage to birds or people 












Update
We are looking forward to the 18th December, when we open for the Season with our early spuds and cherries 







We welcome everyone whether you are vaccinated or not.
Signing in/scanning and masks are compulsory for everyone over the age of twelve, as this is mandatory. 

You will not need a Vaccine Pass 

It was vital for us as a family to be vaccinated as we have two family members who are immune compromised.
We never thought for a minute this would be an issue for anyone.
Sadly we were proved wrong as my mum, Sandra and I were confronted by an elderly woman in the driveway the other day, who laughed in our faces and told us we would all die because we were ‘jabbed’ 



It was most distressing to listen to her cruelty. She just wouldn’t stop!
Her parting shot was she would never buy her fruit from us again.
We never thought for a minute we might lose customers over the fact that we are vaccinated. 

We have friends and customers who are anti-vax and not one of them has ever mocked or laughed at us over our decision to be vaccinated and obviously we have never laughed or mocked them for their decision not to vaccinate so hopefully this was an isolated case.
Respect and kindness is all that is needed in these harrowing times as we are all in this together, trying to muddle through the best way we can 



The 1 metre distance rule will be easy to maintain as we have changed the layout of the Fruit Stall.
We have seats out the side so you can still relax before your journey home and there are seats in the front of the Fruit Stall as well
Remember you are welcome to bring your blanket/deck chairs, if you would like to picnic in the Orchard or in our garden area 

Hopefully our PYO apricots will be all go from about the 10th January 



This date will be brought forward if the lovely weather keeps up.
Will keep you posted 

We really hope to see everyone back again this year.
Remember contact me, Ruby, anytime, on 027 288 6090 for fruit updates, orders, weather reports or just to catch up


Lately I have received a lot of calls from people who have health hassles which puts their immune systems at risk and they want to know what our Fruit Stall Policy is for keeping them safe?
It is a fair question and as we have many customers/friends of all ages, ranging from very young children through to the very elderly, who are immune compromised, we have always catered for their needs by providing a safe fruit shopping environment.
The entrance sliding door, which is the width of our Fruit Stall, is always open as is the side door for continuous air flow plus all surfaces are wiped down on a continual basis.
Hand sanitiser and hand-washing is also a priority for us.
We encourage customers not to handle or squeeze the fruit which ensures total food safety.
Fruit is packed with great care using disposable gloves.
Hygiene is paramount and this has always been the case 



The Stall is accessible for walking frames and wheelchairs.
For those who don’t want to come inside the Fruit Stall we are happy for them to sit outside either in the front of the Fruit Stall in the seats provided or in the garden area out the side.
My Mum, Sandra, and I are more than happy to take your orders from there 

During the Lockdown period early last year, Orders were placed on a table outside the Fruit Stall area, with an Invoice popped inside each box so if anybody wants to use this method we are more than happy with this 

Whatever method you want to use we will work in with you as nothing is a hassle at our Fruit Stall 





And I nearly forgot – customers can PM/TXT or ‘WhatsApp’ me (Ruby…027 288 6090) and I can send photos of what we have available or I can just let you know what fruit is available on the day 



The days for Courier Orders are either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and these orders must be placed the day before and “Fruit Stall pick up Orders” must be placed the day before as well.
Roll on the 18th December when we will open with new spuds and cherries


so looking forward to this Fruit Season which will go through to June 2022 







Remember we will be open 7 days a week from 7am – 9pm and we only sell what we grow 




















Frost fighting!!
At 3am this morning we cranked up “Little Toot”, our loyal frost fighting tractor, as the temperatures dropped to -1.5 and we ran “Little Toot“ until 8:20am 
Fortunately it was a very light frost 



Both Sam and I were up from 10pm last night – he is in charge of frost fighting at another Orchard in Roxburgh East, so my job is to continually check all the cold spots in the Orchard 



So from 3am it was all go 









My job from then on is to keep an eye on the place until we shut down – two of my cats kept me company all night whilst I was patrolling 




Here’s some photos of the blossoms cocooned in the ice 
















Here’s some Autumn photos I took yesterday ??
Granny Smith apples are now available on the Stall ?? Splendour and Braeburn apples are still in plentiful supply ??
Both Braeburn and Granny Smith are great for eating and cooking and Splendour apples are a delicious eating apple ?
Quinces, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples will be all finished by the weekend ?
All apple varieties are available in 5kg and 10kg bags as well as 2nd grade boxes?
Also couriering boxes in 10kg and 15kg boxes – I send out fruit every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday ??
Contact me (Ruby) on 0272886090 if you want a fruit update, weather update, or to place an order, etc. ??
Remember we are Open 7 days from first light until dark ?? and we only sell what we grow.????
21 April


Braeburn apples are now available on the Stall
these are delicious for eating and cooking. We still have Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples as well 
both varieties are very tasty to eat and Golden Delicious is very good for cooking.



All apple varieties are available in 5kg and 10kg bags and also 2nd grade boxes 

Quinces are still available and will be until roughly the end of next week – so there’s still time to grab some for making quince jelly, quince paste or just cooking them up with apples for a crumble 

Splendour apples should be available from the weekend and Granny Smith apples will start next week – will confirm these dates towards the end of this week 

All apple varieties and Quinces are available for courier – apples are sent in 10kg and 15kg boxes and Quinces in 5kg, 10kg and 15kg boxes. I am happy to mix and match varieties 

Due to Anzac Day being observed next Monday, all courier orders will be sent out next Tuesday and Wednesday. Pm or Txt me if you would like to place an order, enquire about freight charges, etc. 

Contact me (Ruby) on 0272886090 anytime if you want a fruit update, order query, weather update, etc. Remember we are open 7 days from first light until dark 
and we only sell what we grow. 









Quinces are ready!
Quinces will be available from tomorrow on the Stall in 3kg bags and 5kg boxes 



Cox’s Orange apples will finish at the end of this coming week – they are tree ripened hence their flavour is gorgeous if you like a sweet apple 

Royal Gala apples and Golden Delicious are still available in plentiful supply 





All apples are available in 5kg and 10kg bags and also 2nd grade boxes 



Red Delicious should be ready in about a week’s time – Braeburn apples will begin roughly on the 10th April, with Splendour apples not too far behind 



We will also have a limited amount 2nd grade boxes of Golden Queen Peaches this coming week.
To all our people on our Golden Queen Peach list, I will contact you when your order is ready to be picked up or to be couriered 

Due to Easter Holidays, courier orders will only be sent on Monday and Tuesday this week 





Apples are couriered in either 10kg or 15kg boxes and Quinces in 5kg, 10kg and 15kg boxes – I’m more than happy to combine quinces and apples together if you only require a smaller amount of each – just pm/txt me with your order 



We also have small Royal Gala apples available on the Fruit Stall at a cheaper price, which are ideal for wee kids lunchboxes
I can also courier these out, however only in 15kg boxes.

Txt/ring me, Ruby, on 0272886090 anytime if you want a fruit update, order query, weather update, etc. 

Remember we are open 7 days from first light
until dark
and we only sell what we grow.




Golden Delicious apples are now available 

these are great for both cooking and eating
selling them in 5kg and 10kg bags 







Tree ripened Cox’s Orange apples and Royal Gala apples are also available in both 1st grade -5kg and 10kg bags – and 2nd grade boxes and bags 







I will be sending all three apple varieties in 10kg and 15kg boxes out next week on Tuesday and Wednesday as Monday is Otago Anniversary – either order a box of one variety or I can mix n match 

send me a message with what you would like or to enquire about prices/freight
You will definitely like our prices 





Quinces will be ready towards the end of next week so there is still time to get your preserving jars and jam/jelly jars prepared 

Txt/ring me, Ruby, on 0272886090 anytime if you want a fruit update, order query, weather update, etc. 




Remember we are open 7 days from 7am – 9pm and we only sell what we grow 













Omega plums will finish early next week – available in 3kg bags and 7kg boxes so grab some whilst you still can 

Royal gala and Cox’s Orange apples are available in 5kg and 10kg bags on the Stall. 



Royal Gala are sweet, crisp, and crunchy for eating and Cox’s Orange are wonderful for cooking and also eating – they are now tree ripened for those who like them a bit sweeter.
Also have 2nd grade boxes available of both apple varieties.
Also couriering the apples in 10kg and 15kg boxes 





You can order a box of either or you can order a mixed box……just send me a text with what you want 



Golden delicious apples are on track for 20th March – they are lovely eating and fantastic for cooking



Quinces should be ready in roughly 14 days from now – these are wonderful for preserving, making jelly and also make a great paste 

Txt/ring me, Ruby, on 0272886090 anytime if you want a fruit update, or if you want to place an order, weather update, etc. 



Remember we are open 7 days from 7am – 9pm and we only sell what we grow 








March 6
Fruit update 

There is a plentiful supply of Cox’s Orange apples and Omega plums available on the Stall.
Cox’s Orange are a delicious tart apple to eat and has a gorgeous flavour when cooked
Available in 5kg and 10kg bags and 2nd grade boxes.

Omega plums are available in 3kg bags, 6kg boxes and 7kg 2nd grade boxes – they are great for eating, stewing, jam, sauce, chutney and wine-making 

I am still sending out both Cox’s Orange and Omega’s…. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – 
You can order a box of either fruit or I can mix n match the amounts – just send me a text with what you want. 



Royal Gala apples will be available on the Stall from Wednesday 10 March. I will be starting to send these out in 10kg and 15kg boxes the following week 

Golden delicious apples will be available from 20th March – they are a lovely eating and cooking apple 



Txt/ring me, Ruby, on 0272886090 anytime if you want a fruit update, or if you want to place an order, weather update, etc. 



Remember we are open 7 days – 7am – 9pm and we only sell what we grow 










