Programme of Events 2023/24

Fruit tree planting

Sun November 26th 2-4pm

Hudd's Mill Orchard, Bridleway, opposite Aldi, Uffington Rd A1175

Join us to plant 30 fruit trees and a fruit hedge in the new community orchard. Bring spades and wear warm clothes. Tea, coffee and cake provided. Register here.

SCOG Wassail

Sat January 6th 4.30–6.30 pm

At SCOG Community Orchard

The Orchard is located at the end of Christ Church Close, PE9 1HS, off Green Lane (what3words location is grass.vase.slower).

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 Morrismen – to be confirmed. Bring saucepans, wooden spoons, torches, lanterns, warm clothing, sparklers and ribbons. More details here

Springtime Scionwood Swap

Saturday, 3rd February 10 – 4pm

Hosted by Mid Shires Orchard Group and Buckingham Nurseries and Garden Centre Buckingham Nurseries and Garden Centre, Tingewick Road, Buckingham MK18 4AE. FREE entry! Scionwood may be swapped for free, or acquired/ provided for a small donation per piece or bundle, at the supplier’s discretion. Rootstocks are at their retail prices, discounted for five or more. There is also a charge for the grafting service per tree, with a a discount for five trees or more. Email Claire at: MSOGChairman@yahoo.com to find out more. Share car journey - contact scogchair@gmail.com

Grafting Workshop

Sat February 24th 10-1 pm

At Rutland Agricultural Showground, Showground Way, Oakham LE15 7TW

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 three-hour 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 a low-maintenance fruit tree that can produce fruit organically without harmful spraying. Led by: Gareth Powell, Denis Smith and Adam Cade. Topics covered include:

• Propagating fruit trees

• Fruit tree buds and growth

• Rootstocks and scionwood

• Methods of grafting

• Timing and aftercare

• Tools and their safe use

• Other guides and online advice

What to bring: Warm clothing. If possible bring only your thin-bladed pocket knife and a pair of hand pruners. Leave with your own grafted apple tree.

Cost - £20 (cash) including two grafted trees of a local heritage variety. Tea and coffee will be provided.

More information and register here

Pruning Workshop

Sat March 2nd 10-1 pm