#HomeGrownFruit: Weekend Bootcamp for the Home Orchardist

Whether you're growing (or planning to grow) one tree or a small orchard, this weekend intensive workshop will equip the home fruit grower or small-scale fruit farmer with the information and techniques to grow a wide variety of deciduous fruit trees successfully.

The 2-day workshop will feature:
Short presentations on the basics of fruit tree growing
Demonstrations of basic procedures and techniques involved in fruit tree growing
Hands-on activities, including planting and fertilizing

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Coffee, tea, and snacks provided. Please bring a picnic lunch for Saturday.

Topics covered include:

Planning, with an emphasis on site selection, soil assessment, and soil improvement

What grows well in the Monterey Bay region? Principal fruits covered
Apples
Pears
Peaches and Nectarines
Plums and Pluots
Apricots and Apriums
Persimmons

Getting Started
Varietal selection
Rootstocks
Soil preparation
Planting
Post-plant care (years 1 and 2)
Establishing the young tree

Irrigation Systems
Pollination

Maintaining established trees
A year-round fertility plan
Summer and winter pruning and training
Pest and disease control

Demonstrations will include
Cover cropping and compost making
Soil preparation and planting
Post-planting fertilization
Pruning young and established trees
DIY grafting

If you prefer to pre-register for this class by mail (no service charge), please send a check made payable to UC Regents to:

Vanessa Ackermann
CASFS
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
attn: Fruit Tree Boot Camp

Please include your contact information (phone and email) with your check.