Permaculture Orchard Design
and Maintenance

Saturday, March 6, 2010

12:30 - 4:00 p.m

$35 per person

Location: Nisse Farm (near Manteno, Illinois)

Planning an orchard?
Years since you've pruned your favorite apple tree?
Not sure how to care for your young fruit trees?

What branches would you prune from this established pear tree?
(Click photo to enlarge.)

Whether you have one fruit tree or want to start a small orchard of your own this workshop will help you on your way. Join Mark Hoffman for an afternoon dedicated to orchard design and maintenance. Mark and Bill will discuss orchard design from a permaculture perspective including:

• Planting fruits that perform well in our Midwest climate

• Permaculture-based orchard location and layout

• How and when to prune

• Integrating the orchard with other plants as well as with animals

• Managing pests

• Harvest and storage tips

 

This orchard workshop will focus on integrating the orchard into your over-all food production system. It will also cover techniques for pruning and includes hands-on pruning practice. Handouts provided.

Pruning an established apple or pear tree is a lot like cutting hair. If you cut off a little too much, before long it will grow back and you'll never know the difference. So....don't worry about making a mistake. Apple trees grow vigorously and therefore are quite forgiving to the amateur pruner!

Note: please bring your own gloves. A pruning saw and/or pruning shears is desirable but not required.

If you are planning to attend please register online, send us an email, or
call Julie at 815-256-2204.
--Thank You --