Caring for an orchard is a continuous and rewarding process. Throughout the year there are jobs to be done to ensure the trees are thriving and ready to produce a bumper crop. For first time orchardists, jobs such as pruning, thinning and staking can seem daunting. We want you to have the confidence to care for your trees and have fun doing it. We think a big part of the pleasure of tending an orchard is the chance to observe, experiment and create; the trees are very forgiving!
The best way to learn a new skill is from someone who has practical experience, and the ability to share their knowledge. This is where our Orchard Mentors come in. Orchard Mentors are our trained up, community volunteers. Many of them have completed our Certificate in Community Orcharding.
“Summer was coming to an end and I was concerned that we hadn’t pruned our stone fruit trees – a ‘Tomcot’ apricot, an ‘Old Green Gage’, a ‘Merryweather’ damson and a ‘Czar’ plum. I’d had plenty of training and practice on apples and pears but was a bit wary of my first session on stone fruits. The Orchard Project put me in touch with an Orchard Mentor, Mick. We spent a very pleasant few hours in the orchard. He showed me how to prune and gave me plenty of advice to carry forward. Mick is an “old” and experienced hand at all things orchard. It’s great for us newbies to be able to tap into that when it is needed!”
If you would like to find out more about Orchard Mentors, contact jo@theorchardproject.org.uk