Orchard Learning Programme 2020 Course dates, outline & information 9-months from March-November, first Saturday of each month The programme is designed for participants with some experience
of growing tree fruit (e.g. apple, pear, plum). It is ideal for anyone involved with a community orchard, as well as professional and home gardeners looking after more than a handful of different trees.
Course fee, £150, plus HOCO membership*, £25/£20 Apply using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0niaxJCUPhNlzSNy1 or contact us for a pdf form, and with any questions. Orchard Learning is a hands-on and
holistic programme. Learning with others is practical and fun. Participants
will gain experience, knowledge, skills, and confidence to care for fruit trees
for years to come.
The Orchard Learning Programme guides participants through a growing season in an established community orchard. It begins as the soil is stirring, and trees, as well as pests and diseases, are waking up from dormancy. It follows the fruiting arc from blossom, pollination and fruit set, to development, ripening and harvest. During the course participants learn to tune in to, and be guided by, the characteristics and needs of individual trees of different ages, varieties, and conditions.
*Participants agree to be/become members of Horfield Organic Community Orchard, and can join as a Harvest-share or Friend member (more information about membership here). Members share responsibility for looking after a pioneering community orchard, and helping to organise successful community events. Here's what participants say about the Orchard Learning Programme: "A unique opportunity to share in the management of an orchard with a highly knowledgeable leader. Prepare for action! You'll learn a lot." Colin "A wonderfully complete immersion in the year of the orchard." Rebecca "Growing apples, pears and plums? If you want practical knowledge and valuable skills, then this is the place for you." Rob "Shannon is a great teacher as well as being phenomenally knowledgeable about fruit growing. I can't think of a better way to learn than having hands-on experience of every form and variety of fruit tree." Mary Get Growing Fruit Trees - an introduction Sundays: 15 March, 17 May, 12 July, 13 September, 2pm-4.30pmCourse fee £65 (HOCO members*), £80 (non-members) 6 places No previous experience needed. · March - Know your trees, their care needs, site, and soil · May - Pests, diseases, disorders · July - Pruning - why and how · September - Harvest, storage & preservation More new dates for 2020 coming soon Get in touch if you want to be the first to hear about Pruning courses. Use this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0niaxJCUPhNlzSNy1 or contact us for a pdf form, and with any questions. Orchard Learning short courses - 2019 Pruning
Apple & Pear Trees in the Growing Season Weekend workshop Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 July, 10am - 4pm
Pruning at the height of the growing season can help ripen the crop. It also brings good harvests in future years. Most trees older than 4 years thrive on a summer pruning system. It’s a proven method for shaping and managing trees in small spaces such as urban gardens and allotments. This weekend workshop covers all aspects of pruning Apples and Pears in the summer months. Participants learn from, and work with, a range of trees of different varieties and ages growing in Horfield Organic Community Orchard. The course covers: pruning technique; training young trees; renewing fruiting wood on established free-standing and trained trees; renovation of older trees.Course fee £75, £60* (HOCO members*) Introduction to Pruning
Apples & Pears One-day course Saturday 27 July, 10am - 4pm This course is now fully booked Hands-on introduction for absolute beginners. Participants will learn the basics of pruning while being guided as they work with real trees. Course fee £50, £35* (HOCO members*) Apply using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0niaxJCUPhNlzSNy1 or contact us for a pdf form, and with any questions. Weekend Pruning Workshops Three weekend workshops. Can be booked separately. Course fee £60 (HOCO members*), £75 (non-members), each course. 8 places Some fruit growing experience needed. Learn by doing, and gain hands-on experience and confidence to: · Form and train young trees · Renew established free-standing and trained trees · Restore old trees Pruning - Dormant season – Apple & pear trees Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 March, 10am-4pm Pruning & Caring for Stone fruit trees - Plum, greengage, damson, apricot & cherry Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 June, 10am-4pm Pruning - Growing season – Apple & pear trees Saturday 20 July & Sunday 21 July, 10am-4pm Day courses
Growing season pruning of Apples & Pears – an introduction Course fee £35 (HOCO members*), £50 (non-members) 6 places No previous experience needed Saturday 27 July, 10am-4pm Planning and caring for fruit grown in small spaces - an introduction Course fee £30 (HOCO
members*), £45 (non-members). 8 places No
previous experience needed Saturday
27 April, 10am-4pm Feedback from this course: Please apply for courses using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0niaxJCUPhNlzSNy1 Or contact us for a pdf form, and with any questions. Pruning
& caring for Stone fruit trees - Plum, Greengage, Damson, Apricot, Cherry Weekend workshop Saturday
29 & Sunday 30 June, 10am - 4pm This course is no longer taking bookings
At their best, home-grown plums, gages and apricots are luscious orbs of heaven on earth. They are a world away from dry and disappointing shop-bought fruits. Caring for stone fruit trees is not the same as apples and pears, and many gardeners are confused by the differences. This weekend workshop shows how to care for these most delicious fruits. Participants learn from, and work with, a range of trees of different varieties and ages growing in Horfield Organic Community Orchard. The course covers pruning and training, managing pests and diseases, and choosing what to grow.Course fee £75, £60* (HOCO members*) |
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