Hobbs Family
30 June
Sam and I are having a great day pruning. Here’s a photo I took a couple of days ago in the nectarine block from the top of the hydralada and some shots I took at morning tea today through the picture window in the sunroom of our front garden #lovepruning
17 June
This is the view from the Orchard this morning ?☃️??
The trees are too wet for me to prune at the moment so my first job of the day is splitting firewood ?????❤️ #gottakeepthehousewarm#tomorrowsoundscolder #fruittreesneedchillhours#finallywinterhasarrived #loveworkingoutside#fivelayersofclothingkeepsmewarm
We are Closed!
The last of our apples sold today so we are now closed for the Season ?
I will be putting the closed sign up as soon as I find a ladder ???
Grateful thanks to all our wonderful customers, both old and new…without you guys, we wouldn’t be in business ?❤️
We look forward to seeing you all again next Season ?
Much to my happiness, pruning commences immediately and I can actually hear my hydra ladder calling me….??
Also a big thanks must go out to “Big Bertha” and “Captain Jack” (our resident gas-powered bird scarers) for protecting this past year’s crops and of course I mustn’t forget “Little Toot” ?who works just as hard, protecting our crops during frost fighting and irrigation ????
Here is a photo taken this morning of the three of us to mark the last day on the Stall for the Season. Only 3 degrees so you will see the layer upon layer of clothes we are all wearing ??
And of course Sam couldn’t resist taking a photo of me carrying the very last bag of apples out to a customers car late this afternoon.
Thanks again to everyone who supports us year after year ❤️❤️❤️
1 June
Just to let you know we won’t be closing on Monday…Queen’s Birthday…..☺️ I had a few queries about this today.
Granny Smith apples are still on the go in 5 and 10kg bags…. remember they are long keepers ?
As we only sell what we grow we probably will run out by next weekend but will keep you posted as to when we will be closing for the Season.
Sorry courier orders have now finished due to the low volume of fruit ?
Ring/text me (Ruby) on 027 288 6090 if you have any queries ?
#grannysmithapplesarecrisp. #greatforstewingandpiesandcrumbles
#loveworkingonmyhydraladder
#ienjoyworkingoutsideoncrispcolddays
May 11
Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Red Delicious apples and Quinces will be over by the end of this weekend. ?
Splendour, a delicious eating apple, and Granny Smith are still being picked daily and we have just started Democrats which are a long keeper just like the Granny Smith and are great for both eating and cooking ??
There are also some 14 kg boxes of juicing apples available on the Stall.
Courier orders for Splendour, Granny Smith and Democrat apples will be sent out in 10kg and 15kg boxes from Monday onwards.
?
Txt or ring me (Ruby) on 027 288 6090 if you want to place an order or have a fruit query.
Open from first light until dark 7 days a week.
Quince Jelly
We still have plenty of apples available – picked fresh every day – Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Red Delicious……Royal Gala will be finished by the weekend 🙂
And we also have quinces available in 3kg bags or 5kg boxes – here’s Mum’s quince jelly recipe ? She uses the jelly bag with the wooden stand which you can buy from Milly’s ?
Sandra’s Quince Jelly Recipe
2-5kg Quinces
Wash and cut quinces into chunks…do not peel or core.
Place the chunks in a preserving pan or large pot and add water to just cover the fruit…if you add too much water, scoop it out.
Bring to the boil and simmer until it is a thick, soft pulp…. this should take about an hour. Stir with a wooden spoon often.
Don’t worry if it takes longer….patience is required.
Once cooked, strain through a jelly bag.
Do not be impatient and squeeze the jelly bag as this will cause the jelly to become cloudy.
A clear jelly looks gorgeous in the jars.
Bring the measured juice to the boil and add sugar gradually…..for every 1 cup juice, add 1 cup sugar.
Stir continually over a moderate heat until sugar is dissolved.
Then bring to a rolling boil until setting point is reached.
To test put a little jelly on a cold saucer…leave to cool slightly.
If set it will wrinkle when touched and if you run your finger through it, the gap will remain open.
Pour jelly into clean sterilised jars* and seal.
*To sterilise, place clean jars into the oven at 120C for 30 minutes.
Fruit Update ?
Golden Queen Peaches have now finished.
Quinces are on the go still and we will have them for the next week or so.
Braeburn apples are now available….very crunchy and great for eating and cooking. ?
Royal Gala, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples are still being picked daily as well.
Granny Smith apples will be starting in a couple of weeks time ?
All apples are sold in 5 and 10 kg bags on the Fruit Stall.
We courier apples and quinces in 10kg and 15kg boxes.
Contact me (Ruby) on 027 288 6090 for orders or fruit queries. ?
Remember we are open 7 days from first light ? till dark ?
Quinces are on the Fruit Stall from today onwards in 3kg bags and 5 kg boxes.
Orders will be sent out on Monday.
Royal Gala and Golden Delicious are still available and Red Delicious apples will be on the Stall as from tomorrow.
We still have 5kg bags and 7kg boxes of 2nd grade Golden Queen peaches available on the stall.
Contact me (Ruby) if you have any fruit queries or orders.
027 288 6090
Open from first light until dark..seven days a week.
#lovestewedapples. #yummyapplepie #quincejelly
#bottledgoldendeliciousyum #lovemyhydraladder
#lookingforwardtopruning
2 April
The last of the pre-ordered Golden Queen peaches will be couriered throughout this week and there are 7 kg boxes of 2nd Grade available on the Fruit Stall…..these are smaller in size ?
Golden Delicious and Royal Gala apples are available in 5 and 10 kg bags ??will keep you posted as to when the other varieties come on.
Quinces, hopefully, will be ready in about a week.
Contact me (Ruby) on 027 288 6090 for any fruit queries ?
Remember we are open 7 days from light ? till dark ? and we only sell what we grow ?
23 March
Golden Delicious apples are now on the go. ?
These are delicious either cooked or eaten fresh.
Sandra (Mum) bottles them. Nothing nicer than having bottled apples and custard during winter ?
Available in 5 & 10 kg bags.
We still have plenty of Royal Gala apples which are picked fresh daily ? also available in 5 & 10 kg bags.
Due to Otago Anniversary falling on Monday, courier orders will not leave until Tuesday ?
Open 7 days – first light until dark ?
#applepie #anappleadaykeepsthedoctor
