Greenhill Orchards

20/10/2026

A promising start to the season 🍒
There was an absolute abundance of pollinators in the orchard this spring! Fruit set is looking good.
We managed to snap a few good pictures of just some of what we saw, there were plenty of European honey bees, at least two species of hover fly (also known as aphideater), an extraordinary array of flower wasps, many moths and butterflies, including a swarm of migrating Bogong moths which was right across this region, some native bees (including the very rare and striking Elegant Masked Bee!), and quite a fascinating array of flies too 🐝

We have done our best to identify the species using the help of iNaturalist app. You may have seen something interesting in your gardens too, if so we would love to see it!

09/10/2026

The orchard farmgate will be CLOSED Saturday 10th October.
While the packing shed is quiet, we're taking time with friends and family, and to catch up on maintenance jobs, ready for the new season 🍒🍑🍐🍎
It's worth calling ahead over the next few weeks before driving out to the orchard.

07/10/2026

The old 65 had a makeover recently - just couldn't keep patching those tyres.
The only tractor in living memory, maybe in 'GreenHill's history, to be purchased brand new for the orchard, she's been a sturdy workhorse since rolling in, all clean and shiny, in 1962.
That's over 60 years of hard work and sterling service!
Quotes from the boys after the new tyres were fitted...
"Don't recognise the old girl!" and
"Won't know itself! Ready for another 50 years 😛"
So much has changed over those years in the ways we manage the orchard, and in our fruitgrowing practices, but some values remain. A sustainable outlook, making the most of what we have, repair rather than replace wherever practical.
Not much that might be useful one day is thrown out on the farm! And if you invest in good quality to start with, it's better value over time.
We do far less tractor hours than in previous years, with changing practices, but there's still a collection of 'heritage' tractors at the orchard. All Massey Fergusen, all still working!
🚜 35, 135, 65, 265, and 178 🚜

30/09/2026

Freshly pressed, and ready for tasting!
A new batch of Pear & Apple juice, just pressed and labelling now.
This new juice is a delightful blend of Buerre Bosc pears and Fuji apples, showcasing the unique characteristics of each. Be prepared to taste sweetly floral pear, followed by a gentle, yet distinctive, fresh apple finish.
A very successful pairing, and a satisfying way to farewell this shortened fruit season.
Apples are pretty much sold out at the packing shed now, although we still have some stocks of Packham's Triumph and Red D'Anjou pears.
(for those who really know their fruit, you'll notice the pear pictured is not actually Bosc - none left to photograph!)
New juice is now heading out to stockists, ready for you to enjoy! We'd love to know what you think 🍐🍎

19/09/2026

Heritage apple trees available 🌱
Winter and early Spring are the time for pruning, grafting, and planting out young trees in the orchards.
We're running a bit late, but the spaces have been filled in Tom's heritage and c***r orchard, and we have a few spare little apple trees for sale. These are currently tucked in the garden 'nursery' where Ken has been taking care of them, so we will need a bit of notice to dig them up if you want to take a tree home.
A nostalgic tasting experience from yesteryear, there are a few Red Delicious and Cox's Orange Pippin apple trees available for planting. $30 ea
The best time to plant a tree is 10 years ago, the next best time is now....
Please get in touch with Warren 0427 753 178 if you're keen 🍎

16/09/2026

16/09/2026

This is what a bit over 31 tonne (or 75 bins) of pears looks like!
Apples have almost sold out this season, with just a few Fuji apples left now. This is very early, but we only picked about a 1/3 of our usual crop, after significant losses from the snow event last winter.
Pears usually sell alongside apples, over the season, with apples generally more popular - although everyone has their own favourites 🍐🍎
So these pears headed off south for processing, to make A LOT of delicious juice!
We are planning another batch of our very own Greenhill label juice very soon, so we saved some pears for that special press.
Currently, we've sold out of Pear&Apple juice at the packing shed, but there may be some on the shelf at your local stockist.
New juice stocks coming soon!!
Our focus is now on preparing well for the season ahead, with blossoms emerging and all the potential for a new fruit crop.

08/09/2026

A special heritage - 'Greenhill' Seedling grafting wood available now!
We introduced our very own homegrown apple variety at Seasons of New England in March this year, and many of you enjoyed sharing the flavour experience.
'Greenhill' Seedling springs from a seed of unknown parentage, although 'Democrat' has been suggested as a possible contributor, and was found growing up near the old packing shed.
The apple is medium-large, with dark red skin, and some russet around the stem. Often odd shaped, with very firm dense white flesh. The flavour is a bold and exciting convergence of red apple, juicy lemon, and fresh strawberry.
It's grafting time now, with an opportunity window of about 2 weeks before budburst.
Tom has cut grafting wood, and some scions are now available (at $2.00 ea) for those who would like to try grafting some local heritage in their own patch.
Grafting supplies (tape etc) can be found at Home Timber & Hardware, and local nurseries.
Please contact Warren 0427 753 178 if you want some wood. Limited supply.

04/09/2026

Some temporary residents have moved in to help the locals already at work in the orchards as blossoms unfurl this Spring. 🐝 With varroa more widespread now, this boosts the potential for good pollination and higher fruit set.
They'll have a quiet weekend to settle in - with overlapping family celebrations this weekend the farmgate will be CLOSED this Saturday 5th September - open again Monday as usual

29/08/2026

The first blossoms are coming out, and all the pollinators are busy in the orchard 🐝
It's good to see so many busy bees, wasps and flies, a diverse variety throughout the orchard environment.
Tom has captured a few busy at work...
Link in comments 🎥