Ben Nobleman Orchard in Winter

Looking at Ben Nobleman Park now, it’s hard to imagine that spring is just around the corner. The snow is thick. The kids are building snowmen. And the fruit trees are resting well. But behind the scenes fruit tree fans in our community and beyond are making fantastic plans for the new year and learning about fruit trees – and how to take care of them is on the top of our agenda.

FRUIT TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP

Our group, Growing for Green, is offering our second annual Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop on April 10 at 10.00 A.M. Last year’s workshop was so popular that the 25 available spots in the workshop filled up within a couple of weeks. This year, if our morning workshop fills up, we’ll hold a second one in the afternoon.  This workshop, with our pruning expert Ken Slingerland from the Ontario Ministry for Food and Rural Affairs, is for anyone who wants their fruit tree to thrive and to produce great fruit. You’ll learn about cross-pollination, choosing and planting fruit trees, and pruning for optimal health and production. Sign up now while there is still room in the course. For more information click here.

LEAF TREE TENDERS COURSES

Now, many of us have limited experience with tree care in general. So we suggest folks keen on learning about caring for fruit trees should also sign up for the fantastic Tree Tenders course offered by LEAF – Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests. This three-part workshop is thorough and reasonably priced. You’ll learn about tree anatomy, tree identification, proper planting and more great stuff. To sign up for one of these courses visit LEAF’s website by clicking here.

URBAN ORCHARDING AND NOT FAR FROM THE TREE

Still wondering if planting fruit trees – or perhaps planting a community orchard – is for you? Find out everything that’s involved from the experts. Not Far From The Tree’s Laura Reinsborough and Liz Hood from Oakvale Garden Green will be teaching a new class called “Urban Orcharding” at the Toronto Botanical Garden on May 7th this year. In a three-hour afternoon session they’ll introduce you to the various techniques for growing fruit trees in back yards, parks and other small spaces. You’ll also learn about native and domestic fruits you can grow at home. For more information and to sign up, click here.

Pruning Workshop in Ben Nobleman Park in 2010