Dates and details below. Contact Us for more information.
We love learning about growing fruit trees. Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO) is home to fruit trees of different ages, varieties, and needs. It is an ideal outdoor learning environment for hands-on courses and workshops.
Climate change is already taking a toll on the orchard. Stressed trees are more vulnerable to diseases and other problems. Extreme weather events are the new normal. We are heading into stormy weather and an uncertain future. HOCO is a living experiment in resilience. We are learning to experiment and evolve our practice to meet serious challenges to food production now, and for the future.
Courses are led by Shannon Smith, a long-time HOCO member, and a knowledgeable and down-to-earth tutor. Participants are guided to practice and problem-solve as they work with the less-than-perfect trees in the orchard.
Roots, Shoots & Fruits – the joy of an orchard year
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.
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.
Fruitful Futures – a climate resilience action project
Dates: Saturdays 12 April; 10 May; 13 September; 8 November
Plus: extra research time and hands-on sessions – as needed
Times: Co-learning session – 12pm-1.30pm, followed by Orchard activity session – 2.30pm-4.30pm
Design and lay the groundwork to plant and grow new fruit trees for an uncertain future. Co-create an experimental, action research project in a community environment. Beginning with questions about soil; unpredictable and extreme weather patterns; how to share knowledge with future growers. Seeking solutions that are low-tech, low-cost, joyful and diverse.
Bring your hands, head, humour, and heart to this project. Recommended for new members with previous growing experience, and for long-standing HOCO members.
Course fee: £80 (HOCO Harvest-share member); £110 (Friend of HOCO)
Deadline for applications: Thursday 10 April, 2025.
The application process includes an informal phone chat.
Get in touch about Orchard Learning courses here.
Seasonal Fruit Tree Pruning Courses 2025
Pruning Fruit Trees – an introduction for Beginners*
Good pruning encourages trees to be healthy, fruitful, and pleasing to the eye. The best way to learn how to prune fruit trees is to work with real trees, during the dormant and the growing season, guided by an expert. These courses help beginners to identify, and work with, fruiting habits, growing characteristics, and wood of different ages. Learners are involved in pruning decisions and make pruning cuts.
Dates & times:
- Dormant season pruning course: Saturday 1 March, 1.30 pm – 4.30pm
- Growing season pruning course: Saturday 2 August, (time tbc) – fully booked
Pruning Fruit Trees – a sharpener for Improvers**
Renewing knowledge and refreshing skills is as important as keeping our tools sharp. Climate change and weather extremes are challenging past practices. We prune better when we understand the nature and condition of the tree and are guided by its response to our interventions.
Dates & times:
- Dormant season pruning course: Sunday 2 March, 1.30pm-4.30pm
- Growing season pruning course: Sunday 3 August, (time tbc) – 1 place available
*Beginners – no previous experience needed
**Improvers – at least 2 years experience, plus previous participation in an Orchard Learning or equivalent practical pruning course.
- Courses cover:
- Planning
- Pruning technique & Tools
- Forming and training young trees
- Free-standing and trained trees
- Renewing fruiting wood on established trees
- Restoring older trees
- Orchard Learning Pruning courses and fee structure are designed to aid learning by working with trees over the two seasons of the year: Dormant and Growing.
- Taking part in courses over two, or more, years will further deepen knowledge, experience, and skill.
- Shannon offers one-to-one course follow-up working with trees in your care. This unique opportunity puts your learning into action, improves skills and confidence. It is highly recommended by all participants of previous courses.
Fees for Pruning courses:
- HOCO Harvest-share member: £40 for one course; £70 for two dates booked at the same time.
- Friend of HOCO member: £50 for one course; £90 for two dates booked at the same time.
- Standard fee: £70 for one course; £130 for two dates booked together.
- One-to-one follow-up takes place by arrangement, either at HOCO and/or your garden, allotment, or community growing project.
- One-to-one fees: from £15 to £30 an hour, depending on time, number of participants involved, and distance from HOCO.
Get in touch about Pruning Courses
More infomation about HOCO membership here.
Professional gardeners are welcome to get in touch to chat about ongoing professional development at HOCO and/or with the fruit trees in your car
Orchard Learning Programme
Developed with HOCO support in 2018 to celebrate the 20th annniversary of the orchard. This wholistic, hands-on 9-month course is tuned to the growing year. Participants experience a unique learning opportunity rooted in a rich and diverse local food project. Designed for professional gardeners, community growing project workers, and keen fruit growers with at least two years experience. When circumstances allow – we hope to offer this course again in the future.
The Apple Tree Lady
Book an hour with the Apple Tree Lady for friendly and expert advice on fruit trees in your garden, allotment or community growing project.
Use this form to Book an hour with the Apple Tree Lady
She is also happy to try to identify mystery apples when the fruit is in season. Use this form to Ask the Apple Tree Lady to eye-d mystery apples
Join us as an active or supporting member
See What’s On this winter and the 2025 growing year