May has been a busy month for the Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard! Read on to learn about our new native bee study, orchard shed renovation, fruit tree pruning, pollinator garden updates and more in this blog!
- Entomology Research Study in Action
Our park is buzzing with excitement as we participate in an entomology research study! Researcher Shereen Xavier from the University of Toronto has installed a Pollinator nest box for her research. It’s fascinating to see science in action right in our orchard.
- Wood Mulching with Eli and Elinor
Meet our dynamic duo, Eli and Elinor (or Eli and Eli, as we like to call them). They led the charge in wood mulching our trees, tirelessly wheeling barrows full of mulch. Their hard work ensures our trees stay healthy and happy.
- Shed Overhaul by Sara and Giselle
Sara and Giselle tackled the chaos in our shed, transforming it from a cluttered mess into an organized haven. Rael joined in to help thin out the contents, and we’re donating some tools to Zeny for her church garden.
- Year of the Weed Tree
Our pollinator garden faced an invasion of weed tree seedlings this year. Rebecca earned the title of “Weed Warrior” by digging out the biggest one. We’re so grateful for her efforts in keeping our garden beautiful.
- Pruning Team: Susan, Giselle, and Sara
Susan, Giselle, and Sara took on a large share of the spring pruning duties this year. Sara, in particular, has shown incredible progress and confidence after taking Susan’s online fruit tree pruning course. It’s wonderful to see her grow her skills.
- Struggling Apricot Trees
Our two apricot trees have had a tough year, hit hard by disease and a late frost in May. At 15 years old, they’re reaching the end of their lifespan. While some fruit trees can live much longer, it depends on the type and rootstock.
- Second Pollinator Garden Work
Zeny, Jehane, and Carolyn have been hard at work in our second pollinator garden on the Everden side of the park. Their dedication keeps our pollinator habitats thriving.
- A Visit from Officer Stephen Fryer
We had a delightful visit from Officer Stephen Fryer of the 13th Division. After his friendly chat, new volunteer Carolyn remarked that our park feels like Sesame Street, wondering if the postman would visit next!
- Protecting Our Apples
Our apples have been under attack by pests, likely coddling moths. We’re planning to put Orchard Sox on the apples to protect them. Join us in two weeks for our next meeting if you want to help out. If you have time before then, contact us and we’ll give you some sox and instructions on how to put them on the tree! Email us at growingforgreen (at) gmail.com to sign up!
We hope to see you at the orchard soon! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just curious about what we do, there’s always something exciting happening here.
Susan Poizner is one of the volunteers for The Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard in Toronto. She is the creator of the fruit tree care education website OrchardPeople.com. Susan is the author of four fruit tree care books including Grow Fruit Trees Fast: A Beginner’s Guide to a Healthy Harvest in Record Time. She is also the host of the Orchard People podcast and an ISA Certified Arborist.