Welcome to
Horfield Organic Community Orchard
growing fruit, community, learning, and wellbeing since 1998
Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO) is an inspiring, pioneering, local food project that put down roots 26 years ago on an allotment site behind HMP Bristol. The orchard is home to more than 80 different fruiting trees. It was planned to show that local grown fruit can be eaten and enjoyed all year round.
HOCO is a grassroots example of resilience in a world living with climate chaos. We are adapting the ways we care for our trees to meet serious challenges to food production now, and for the future. Do you care about the future of food growing? Join us as a Friend of the Orchard to support our work. Join us as a Harvest-share member and take action with others on the ground.
Orchard Learning Courses for 2025
Get growing, learning, and active in the orchard this year. We welcome new Harvest-share members who are taking part in an Orchard Learning course at HOCO. New to fruit growing? Keen to learn more about pruning, lively soils, caring for trees in a climate crisis, and making the most of the harvest? There is an Orchard Learning course for you! Find out more: Orchard Learning
Roots, Shoots & Fruits –
the joy of an orchard year
Starting Sunday 23 March
Dates: Sundays 23 March; 27 April; 25 May; 29 June; 27 July; 28 September
Times: Learning session – 12pm-1.30pm, followed by Orchard activity session – 2.30pm-4.30pm
Get growing fruit trees at Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO) with this friendly, hands-on course. Learn to love and care for fruit trees over a whole growing season – from bud and blossom to harvest. Enjoy working outdoors with other orchard lovers, as well as the fruits of your labours.
This practical course is ideal for anyone taking their first steps into growing fruit trees. It is designed as an introduction to HOCO for Harvest-share members joining the orchard in 2025. The interweaving of learning and group activities will also inspire professional gardeners and community growers.
Course fee: £70 (HOCO Harvest-share member); £100 (Friend of HOCO)
Deadline for applications: Friday 21 March, 2025.
The application process includes an informal phone chat.
Get in touch about Roots, Shoots & Fruits here.
Pruning Large Old Trees
PLOT workshops –
starting Saturday 8 March
Learn the skills of slow pruning by working with mature trees at HOCO over a growing season
March is the peak month for Dormant Season planning and pruning of our apple trees. The first of our hands-on PLOT workshops is
Saturday 8 March, 12 noon to 4.30 pm (with a break for lunch from 1.30-2pm)
Fee: HOCO members: £20; Full fee: £35
A head for heights is helpful, and there are on-the-ground tasks too.
Sign up here
Contact us for news of future workshops
