About this Event
Establishing and maintaining a fruit tree orchard requires a strong foundational knowledge of tree lifecycles, and proper care and maintenance strategies. What's more, there are so many heritage fruit trees on Vancouver Island, and many of them could be brought back into fruitful production.
As we continue to face climate uncertainty, maintaining healthy, resilient food producing trees will become more challenging, and at the same time, more important. This workshop will cover elements of orchard care and maintenance from the lens of production, regenerative care and climate mitigation.
There is no cost to attend this workshop. It is intended for farmers and those who care for or are interested in establishing small orchards for fruit production. Please list your farm or affiliation at registration. The workshop takes place in the farmhouse, and in the field at Haliburton Community Organic Farm.
Part 1: Maintenance as Climate Mitigation (in class 9am-12pm)
-Intro to annual fruit tree growth cycle and corresponding orchard dynamics
-Dive into how fungally dominant soil management and tree immune function can help make trees healthier & more climate resilient.
-Discuss shifting disease & pest pressures and what techniques can help create a more balanced orchard.
-Learn how holistic orchard maintenance can help us adapt existing orchards to a shifting and unpredictable climate.
Lunch and networking 12-1pm
Part 2: Restoration (Demonstration)1-4pm
-Focus on the restoration pruning techniques and the multi-step approach to rejuvenating overgrown or neglected trees. This would include, conversations about maintenance pruning techniques like spur pruning, summer pruning and vigour management
-Discuss grafting techniques and the potential benefits of grafting more desirable varieties to established trees. Demonstration of different techniques.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
741 Haliburton Rd, 741 Haliburton Road, Victoria, Canada
CAD 0.00
