Learn how to plant fruit trees
Sooke Food CHI was recently awarded a $3,000 grant from TREECanada’s EDIBLE TREES program, a program across Canada sponsored by Loblaw and Taste of Nature.
Sooke Food CHI was among 20 successful applicants, out of 200, who were recognized as being innovative and successful for its continual engagement of the community in its food production activities, such as those found at the Sunriver Allotment Garden and community orchard on Phillips Road.
Food CHI will use this grant to support volunteers become knowledgeable in all growing and horticultural aspects of sustaining an orchard and harvesting the fruit. Food CHI hopes some of the volunteers will become orchard stewards and over the years help us create a most successful orchard to feed Sooke’s hungry.
With the assistance of local gardeners, horticulturists and Sooke nursery folk, up to 10 mentoring sessions will be offered to the public at the Sunriver Community Orchard starting this coming Sunday, and closing with Appleloosa — an apple festival in September.
Soon an outline of the planned mentoring sessions and dates will be published.
We invite any interested person to attend our first mentoring session. Become involved as a volunteer at our community orchard, or come as a learner and take home what you need to know to start planting your own back yard fruit trees.
Upcoming events:
EARTH DAY and FOOD CHI - making it happen – Sunday, April 22 plant a fruit tree, learn some practical tips from our orchard mentors: Glen and Clayton - A free event.
On Sunday you will learn how to plant some young trees and trees from grafts taken in the Sooke area last summer, you will also learn how to cane and tie trees, and develop interesting espalier frameworks. The day will be an informal workshop and a work bee.
When: Sunday April 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where – 2380 Phillips Road, Sunriver Gardens, community orchard.
Wear – gardening clothes, boots
Bring – a snack
For more information please call Glen at glensgardeningco@shaw.ca