2024 Fruit Tree Pruning & Grafting Workshops
For all experience levels
Saturday, April 13
Fruit Tree Pruning
9:30am -12:30pm
This class covers all you need to know to successfully prune your own trees for tree health
and to increase fruit production, including tree physiology, pruning techniques,
tools, and safety. Classroom instruction will be followed by orchard demonstrations.
Plenty of opportunity for Q&A.
$ 75 / participant
Advance registration is required for both sessions.
To register, or for more information,
call 802-563-3012 or Contact Us
Fruit Tree Grafting
1:30—4:30pm
Each participant will take home newly grafted apple trees to plant on your own property.
All materials and tools will be provided for the workshop.
Participants can choose from a variety of apple scionwood.
Additional rootstocks, scionwood and tools will be available for purchase at class.
$125 includes class and materials to make 2 apple trees
$150 includes class and materials to make 6 apple trees
If you are having trouble with Contact Us, please email us at waldenheightsnursery@fairpoint.net or call 802-563-3012
Educational topics presented at WHNO:
Fruit Tree Pruning (see dates above) is presented with a scientific approach, but certainly open to all levels of student. Expect an indoor lecture, some pictures, discussion and Q&A followed by practical experience in the orchard. Everything from tree physiology to tool choice will be covered. We will also go over bush fruits and vines as determined by interest. Usually held in late winter. Workshop length 3+ hours.
In Fruit Tree Grafting you will learn how to graft fruit trees using a variety of methods. We will review bench grafting, topworking, budding, and cover a range of fruit plant species. Participants will be provided with all plant material to make new apple trees with a wide selection of apple varieties to choose from. We begin with a lecture and discussion on the science of grafting, followed by technique instruction. Later, there is practice and then down to the actual surgery, with help from the teacher. Usually held in late winter/early Spring. Workshop length 3+ hours. A materials list will be sent to registered students. See dates above.
Organic Fruit Growing: Saturday 5/18/24 Covers just about all the species we grow here in Walden, from Aronia berries to Zabergau Reinette apples. The management techniques we employ include organic standards, permaculture principles, regenerative agriculture, and no- till processes, but the class will help growers of any practice. The workshop begins with an overview and lecture, and then proceed to an understanding of each species. This will include target crops, support plants like nitrogen fixers and animal habitat, and a discussion about the wider ecosystem. All levels of experience are welcome.
Fruit Tree Growing with an emphasis on growing apples, but pear, cherry and plum are included. This workshop covers it all – cultivar selection, planting, pruning, fertilizing, pest and disease management, harvesting, fruit storage, propagation, history, orchard layout, organic and sustainable practices, fruit processing, cider, materials, techniques, tools, and how not to go nuts doing this all. Some lecture, some discussion, and some orchard touring. Workshop length 5 hours.
Cidermaking will teach you everything you need to know to make your own bubbly. For both novices and those with experience will benefit from lectures from us, as well as experienced cidermakers, with plenty of time for questions. Covered but not limited to history, cultivar selection, brewing techniques, orchard basics, pressing options, ice cider, vessel choices, and some meandering into chemistry. Open to tangents like vinegar making and other treats. Apple and juice tasting from our orchard of hundreds of varieties. Kits, books, and all such supplies (including pressed cider and fresh apples) will be available. Workshop length 5 hours.