New to the orchard? Take a look at the About page for an introduction.
Recent or Notable Updates
- 12 April 25: Added notes from Spring `Meeting Meetings & Reports page.
- 20 Sept 24: Added AGM 24 Reports and Agenda Meetings & Reports page.
- 03 May 2024: Participated in annual Get Growing Trail open day on Sunday 16 June: Official Website / Trail Leaflet
- 11 Oct 2022: Added interactive map & updated all orchard maps on dedicated Maps page.
- 14 Nov 2020: Complete table of fruit trees in the orchard, indexed by map code, with RHS website links.
Directory
Membership & Wiki Registration (Joining the orchard / Wiki sign-up for existing orchard members)
Tasks & Projects (Current work to be done (or in progress) in the orchard)
Maps (Different overviews of the orchard and its contents)
Photos (Photo archive)
Meetings & Reports (Meeting agendas/minutes, reports, general admin files)
Orchard Contents (What plants and varieties we have)
Fruit and Veg Maintenance (planting and care of top/soft fruit and veg)
Infrastructure & Composting (Hard landscaping, tree works, seating, composting/disposal, hedges, etc)
General Orchard Principles (pest and disease control, organic methods, soil, fertility, etc)
Using the Fruit (Recipes, produce labeling, etc)
Links (Web links to like-minded groups, networks, gardens, farms and shops)
Orchard Events Diary
(See Project Sessions on Tasks & Projects page for more details of planned tasks on orchard work days)
Scheduled orchard work days almost always take place on the first Sunday of each month. Most months, we usually have another ad hoc Sunday group session as well - these will get listed here typically a week or two beforehand. You can of course still visit and work in the orchard at other times. Orchard work sessions will normally be from 11am until perhaps 5pm though they are likely to finish earlier in winter months. You're always welcome to come at the start time or any time during the session.
| Day_and Times |
Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 1st June 2025 12pm-dusk |
Orchard Work Session - first Sunday of month | Activites: TBC |
| Sun 18th May 2025 12pm-dusk |
Orchard Work Session - first Sunday of month | Activites: Clearing horsetail from the stream. Wellies helpful if you have them, but not compulsory! There are lots of nettles so cover up! Stephen Pill will be there from 2pm to lead this work party. If horsetail pulling does not tickle your fancy then clearing around trees would be great, lots if growth since the mulching and cardboarding done. Clearing paths, maybe rake and clear if still lots if material from the strimming. Rakings in compost heap or use as a mulch around trees and soft fruit bushes (don't mulch up to stems/trunks as this can cause fungal issues).There is also bamboo and pendulous sedge to pull out - please remove roots and all and put in a bulk bag under the shelter (best either dried thoroughly and composted or removed from site - please don't put direct on compost heap). |
| Sun 4th May 2025 12pm-dusk |
Orchard Work Session - first Sunday of month | Activites: Woodchip by Redland Gate - continue transporting to orchard and topping up steps and paths - may need weeding and some steps repairing before adding the woodchip; removing weeds from paths at top of orchard and around orchard; bamboo, sedge remove with roots and put in bulk bags ready for drying out or removing from site. On Monday a small group will be working with Stephen Pill on a fallen tree at the bottom of the orcahrd across the brook |
| Sun 27th April 2025 12pm-dusk |
Orchard Work Session | Activites: Top up cardboard on 'Eleagnus area'; woodchip had been delivered - transport from Redland Gate to orchard - note - only suitable for steps (contains Yew) |
| Sun 6th April 2025 12pm-dusk |
Orchard Work Session and Spring meeting | Activites: Continue work on terracing 'Eleagnus area'; compost, cardboard and mulch around trees; continue transplanting prickly saplings to Dugard Walk boundary if not completed followed by spring meeting from 4; firepit and planning for the coming season and beyond |
Other Events (Outside the orchard)
| Day_and Times |
Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday mornings | Whiteladies Road Market | Fabulous weekly market on the corner of Whiteladies & Apsley Road with stalls aplenty filled with locally-grown food and other organic goodies. Please check http://sustainableredland.org.uk/market/ or look the market up on Facebook for updates. |
| Selected Saturdays | Community Farmer Days at The Community Farm | The Community Farm has a volunteering programme including Community Farmer days on some Saturdays. More info and registration at: https://www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/volunteering/ Plus Grow and Make sessions on Wednesdays - open sessions to join in the therapeutic acts of food growing and nature connection, every Wednesday 10-3 at the farm; look this up at https://www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/learning/social-and-theraputic-horticulture/ |
| First Saturday of the month | Grow Wilder Monthly Market & Wildlife Watch Club | Monthly Market: "A collective of Bristol Designers and Makers showcasing their handcrafted goods with an emphasis on eco-friendly and nature themed products." And something for the (young) kids too…"On the first Saturday of every month, our learning team run a Wildlife Watch Club at our Grow Wilder site, for 5-10 year olds. We'll be learning all about nature, with an exciting new theme every month and lots of fun activities to enjoy." Info for both: https://www.facebook.com/AWTGrowWilder/events |
| Wednesday evenings | Folk Tales | Orchard friend Joe Medlicott's Folk Tales events are back live. Occasional Wednesdays, usually from 8pm til about 10.30. Search for Folk Tales TV on Facebook for venues and times. |