Orchard Learning Programme 2022 Course dates, outline & information 9-months from February - October - see below for dates 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 £250 (plus HOCO Harvest-share membership*, which involves 20+ volunteer hours)** or £350 (plus HOCO Friend membership*, includes a £50 donation to HOCO) **Bursaries available - get in touch for a chat Deadline for applications: Friday 28 January 2022. Ask for an application pack using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0niaxJCUPhNlzSNy1 or contact us with any questions. Orchard Learning
is a hands-on and
holistic programme that blends group sessions with one-to-one learning.
Participants
will gain experience, knowledge, skills, and confidence to care for
fruit trees
for years to come. HOCO will host an advanced Orchard Learning
Programme in 2023 designed to develop skills for training
and organising volunteers. The 2022 course (or an equivalent) is a foundation for the follow up.
The Orchard Learning Programme guides participants through a growing season in an established community orchard. The programme begins as days lengthen, 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 Book an hour with The Apple Tree Lady Shannon Smith - our Orchard Learning co-ordinator - is offering one-hour fruit tree consultations in gardens and alloments within a 2km-ish radius of Horfield Organic Community Orchard. The fee is £20, which includes a £5 donation to HOCO. Available from Monday 17 May 2021, by advance booking only. Shannon will share her expertise, and give practical and down-to-earth advice about fruit trees of all ages and conditions. An hour with the
Apple Tree Lady is highly recommended by Alison, a recent Orchard
Learning participant, “I’ve learned more about apples in 30 minutes
than I have in the whole of my life!”
Please book using this link: https://forms.gle/FXEA31GezBy6H9fq6 or contact us with any questions. Get Growing Fruit Trees 2022 - an
introduction over a growing season Saturdays: 19 March, 21 May, 16 July, 17 September, 2pm-4.30pm
Course fee: £125, £115 (H&DAA / AOG member), £90 (HOCO Friend member), £75 (HOCO Harvest-share member) 6 places No previous experience needed. · March - Know your trees, their care needs, site, and soil ·
May - Pests, diseases,
disorders and resilience · July - Pruning - why and how · September - Harvest, storage & preservation Praise from previous year's Get Growers: "A very useful course - very sensible and down-to-earth information from a very experienced and well informed teacher." "Lots of practical advice. Great to see things develop through the year, and be in a relaxed and pleasant environment." "I'm looking forward to a much improved crop of apples in future years, and thoroughly recommend this course." Ask for more information about Orchard Learning courses using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0niaxJCUPhNlzSNy1 or contact us for a pdf form, and with any questionsDoes fruit tree pruning leave you stumped?
Knowing when to prune, is as important as knowing how. Understanding the seasonal cycle of fruit trees is essential to planning, shaping, and enjoying fruitful and healthy trees. Learn to tune in to the character and needs of trees in your care. Use different pruning tools, make pruning decisions and put them into practice. Courses take place in HOCO’s rich and diverse outdoor learning environment. Learners will work with real trees, and learn by doing. They are led by Shannon Smith, a knowledgeable and down-to-earth tutor. One-day Pruning courses (2020) Pruning - Dormant season – Apple & pear
trees Pruning - Growing season – Apple & pear
trees - Fully booked. Please note that because of Covid-19 the group workshop will be replaced by one-to-one sessions, to be arranged with each participant. 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 Course fee: £50; £45 (H&DAA/AOG member); £40 (HOCO member*) Discounted fee if both courses booked at the same time: £85; £75 (H&DAA/AOG member); £65 (HOCO member*) Introduction to Pruning
Apples & Pears One-day course Saturday 27 June, 10.30am - 4.30pm - this course is fully booked Hands-on
introduction for absolute beginners. Participants will learn the basics
of pruning while being guided as they work with real trees Apply using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0niaxJCUPhNlzSNy1 or contact us for a pdf form, and with any questions. Pruning fruit trees for beginners - one-day course - Fully booked Please
note that because of Covid-19 the group workshop will be replaced by
one-to-one sessions, to be arranged with each participant.
4 places No previous experience needed Growing season pruning of Apples & Pears – an introduction Saturday 27 June, 10.30am-4.30pm Course fee*: £55, £50 (H&DAA/AOG), £40 (HOCO members**) *Includes follow-up 30-minute one-to-one session in your garden or allotment. Participants learn while working with real trees of
different needs.
They are guided by Shannon Smith, a knowledgeable and down-to-earth tutor. Course covers: pruning technique & tools; trained forms; renewing fruiting wood on established trees; restoring older trees. Get in touch if you want to be the first to hear about new courses. Use this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0niaxJCUPhNlzSNy1 or contact us for a pdf form, and with any questions. |
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