If we can do it, you can too! Ray, Deb and Alex prune the fruit trees in Ben Nobleman Park.

Our little park at Eglinton Ave. W. and Everden Road is slowly coming back to life after a long, cold winter.  This week,  Susan, Cliff, Alex, Ray, Deb and Sherry dusted off their hand pruners and went to Ben Nobleman Park to prune the trees. Our goal was twofold. First we inspected the trees carefully to find and remove any branches that showed early signs of disease. We bagged up the  diseased branches and disposed of in the garbage – not the compost. Proper pruning, as we learned in the Orchard People Winter Pruning Workshop this March, is one key way to prevent the spread of diseases from tree to tree.

Rachel plants bulbs around orchard shed in October 2012

Winter pruning is very important for young trees in other ways too. It helps us shape the tree so that it is strong and stable and can support a sizable harvest of fruit. It helps improve circulation in the tree and ensures every branch has access to sunshine. Finally, correct winter pruning gives our trees a boost of energy for the new season. If you plan to prune your trees this winter, remember it must be done while the tree is dormant. Once the buds start to break, it’s too late!

Ben Nobleman Park’s 14 fruit trees are still dormant, but other plants in the park are starting to wake up. Last year on our bulb planting day we planted 600 daffodils around the park, both in the pollinator garden and around our orchard shed and lots of green shoots are emerging now, promising us a dazzling spring show in our park this year. Stewardship days begin in April and we will post the schedule soon. If you want to join us in the park, send an email to Lynn at growingforgreen@gmail.com. Happy Spring everyone!