London Orchard Project – Tree Grafting Workshop – Saturday 25th February 2012 February 20, 2012

This Saturday 25th Feb our friends at Stepney City Farm will be running a fruit tree grafting workshop.  Learn how to create a grafted fruit tree from nursery-grown root-stock and scion (cuttings) we’ve gathered from orchards across London.Grafting is the technique by which apple trees are propagated.  Through grafting we can combine the root-stock we want (which determines the health and eventual height of the tree) with our favourite apple varieties.  So come along to the farm and learn how to do this yourself.The workshop will be led by David Lopez of Stepney City Farm, and costs £5.  To book a place contact david@stepneycityfarm.org.

When: Saturday 25th February 2012,

Workshop 11am – 12pm (followed by optional volunteering session 1pm  – 4pm)

Where: Stepney City Farm, Stepney Way, London E1 3DG

Cost: £5 (£3 concessionary)

The London Orchard Project Needs Volunteers February 6, 2012

Help us plant over 50 apple trees in a day Bethlem Royal Hospital, Thurs 9th Feb 2012 – 10am to 3.30pm Ola Tree Amigos! So who wants to be part of our most ambitious orchard planting to date?  On Thursday 9th Feb we’ll be planting over 50 apple trees at Bethlem Royal Hospital.  If you’ve been following the project you may remember that we restored an orchard at this famous mental health hospital last year, along with service users as part of the hospital’s occupational therapy programme. However there’s lots of gaps in the orchard where trees used to be, so we’re going back to continue the restoration through replanting. We need 6 enthusiastic volunteers to help us plant the trees.  No prior experience is necessary, just a love of trees and willingness to learn.  The nearest station is Eden Park, which is around 30mins direct from Charing Cross, London Bridge and Cannon St, amongst other stations. If you can help out please email David – david@thelondonorchardproject.org Look forward to hearing from you, David and all at the London Orchard Project

-3.5c and we were still up for pruning our West Ealing Orchard February 5, 2012

Oh yes we at WEN Abundance and Ealing Transition are a hardy lot!  We braved the freezing cold on Saturday 4th February to be part of a pruning workshop at our lovely little Orchard at Walmer Gardens. The London Orchard Project are doing a fantastic job helping us and brought in an expert to guide us through the day.

With some dedicated volunteers and support – including Jon Skoyles, Ealing Park Ranger, this Orchard has undergone a complete transformation. It will take a couple more years of pruning, planting and caring for the place but we know it will be worth bringing this place back to life.

Next up is the beehive Ealing Transition will be setting up around April – I’ll let you know exact dates when confirmed should anyone be interested in coming along.

Here are some pictures of the day.