STAMFORD COMMUNITY ORCHARD GROUP

Wed July 24th 10-1 pm
Scything - Free Workshop
At SCOG Community Orchard

Come and learn how to scythe and rake grassland at our free workshop in the community orchard.
Scything is a great skill. This ancient farming technique is making a comeback across Europe. We are part of a growing band of mowers that use scythes as a social and quiet conservation tool as well as an outdoor alternative to the fitness gym. It’s certainly hard work but well worth the effort. Swapping noisy, fuel-guzzling machinery for a simple blade is a win for both wildlife and well-being. These islands are blessed with one of the best grass growing climates in the world, so grassland management has always been a necessary activity - whether for feeding livestock through the winter by haymaking, or for keeping on top of lawns and wayside weeds.

What to bring: hat, gloves and something to drink. We will provide scythes and rakes.

Led by: Adam Cade and Jane Peach
Book early as spaces for the workshop are limited to 6 people. Please get in touch for more details.
Register here.

 

Wed July 24th 2-5 pm
Summer Pruning - Free Workshop
At SCOG Community Orchard

Come and learn how to prune apple trees in the summer for maximum fruit production.
Bring gloves, drinking water and suitable footwear as well as secateurs or pruners if you
have them.
Numbers limited to 10 people.
Register here.

 

Thursday September 12th 10-1pm
Stamford and Rutland Orchards Tour
Start at SCOG Community Orchard

 

Join us for a tour of about six orchards around Stamford and Rutland. We will look at the different fruit and nut trees and varieties and in some cases chat with the orchard managers. In some orchards we will collect fruit for Apple Day. We will use shared cars following a guided route.

Register here.

Sat October 12th 10-1 pm
Fruitful Harvesting Workshop
At Brewery House, High St, Ketton PE9 3TA

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Come and learn at this free workshop about harvesting and processing apples, pears, plums and other fruit. Bring some food for a shared lunch if you want to stay for the apple pressing.

Register here.

Sat October 12th 2-5 pm
Apple Pressing
At Brewery House, High St, Ketton PE9 3TA

Join us learn about making juice and cider by washing, mashing and pressing apples. Bring your own apples to take away juice in your own containers. If you wish bring some food for a shared meal at 1pm.

Register here.

Sun December 1st 2-4 pm
Fruit tree planting
Hudd's Mill Community Orchard
Bridleway, opposite Aldi, Uffington Rd A1175

As part of National Tree Week we are planting another 30 fruit trees as the third and final year of planting the new two acre community orchard. So come along to join the planting with gloves and spade.
Register here.

Sat January 4th 4.30–6.30 pm
SCOG Wassail
At SCOG Community Orchard

Come and join our annual wassail Join us in this noisy old English custom, sing to the trees and bang your old saucepans to bring a good harvest of apples. With seasonal songs, cider, apple juice, brazier, Woven Chords choir, Rutland Morris, Story Teller, etc….. Bring saucepans, wooden spoons, torches, warm clothing, sparklers and ribbons.

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Sat February 24th 10-1 pm
Grafting Workshop
At Brewery House Studio, High Street, Ketton PE9 3TA.

This practical workshop will describe the basic theories of grafting, followed by a series of practical demonstrations and plenty of hands on practice. Come and learn how to graft fruit trees with local experts who will lead this workshop designed for the novice propagator. Skill at grafting is the true mark of gardening expertise, but it’s also easy to learn and fun
to do. In this hands-on workshop you will graft and take home two apple trees from a choice of many local and heritage varieties.

What to bring: If possible bring only your thin-bladed pocket knife and a pair of hand pruners. Leave with your own grafted apple trees. Tea and coffee will be provided. £20 including two grafted trees. Led by: Gareth Powell and Adam Cade
Book early as spaces are limited to 10 people. Please get in touch for more details.

Register here.

Sat March 2nd 10-1 pm
Pruning Workshop
At SCOG Community Orchard

Pruning is an essential part of the maintenance of your fruit tree, but it is also a bewildering subject! This workshop will show you how to prune and care for your fruit trees to ensure that they remain healthy and yield maximum crops. Topics covered include formative, maintenance and restorative pruning, tools and their safe use, other guides and online advice.
What to bring: Warm, waterproof clothing. If possible bring pruning tools, loppers, pruning saws. Led by: Gareth Powell and Adam Cade
Book early as spaces are limited to 10 people. Please get in touch for more details.
Register here.