OGA On the Farm: Apple Tree Pruning at Avonleigh Orchards

Join Jonathan Francis, grower from Avonleigh Orchards, to help with pruning the 20 year old trees.

You will learn the key skills needed to successfully prune apple trees, while learning from the mistakes that were made at Avonleigh Orchards over the last 20 years (and what not to do!).

The original trees at Avonleigh Orchards were planted 20 years ago. These are the trees that we will be demonstrating how to prune. They have been established and pruned to the open vase or goblet shape and they are om M106 rootstock. This day will teach their maintenance, balancing vigour and fruit production as well as spotting and removing disease. There will be stories of what we have learnt to do and not to do over the last 20yrs.

Lunch and refreshments will be served by the fantastic team at Avonleigh Orchards - the price of this is included in the ticket price.

Schedule

9.30am: Meet and Greet at barn above vines (head to bell tents)

10.00am - 12.30pm: Morning session working on 2 varieties

12.30pm: squash and coconut stew with a chestnut polenta mash (vegan and gluten free)

1.30pm-3.30pm: afternoon session working on another 2 different varieties

3.30pm: end of day and a quick farm walk to those interested in joining

This event is based on a time/knowledge exchange, and it is expected that people attend the full day. We are limited to 12 participants so please if you do book to attend, please turn up for all the obvious reasons.

Seasonal appropriate clothing and footwear, please do not turn up with mud /soil from off the farm. Please no pets as we consider the farm to be a nature reserve.

All tools will be provided and are only used on this farm.

Host or Publisher Organic Growers Alliance