Description
About the Venue:
Hill House started life in the 1870’s as the woodsmen’s cottages serving the once extensive Braydon Forest, which is said to include some of the 7 oldest stands of oaks in England. Most of the ongoing project of developing the gardens in the 12-acre property started around 20 years ago. The garden includes a large greenhouse, orchard with quince, apple, pear, plum, medler, topiary hedging, herbaceous borders and lawns and raised-bed vegetable gardens, as well as a number of plants hinting at the owner’s New Zealand roots: various varieties of kiwifruit as well as feijoas, tamarillos and Reinga Reinga (Matapouri Bay) lilies raised here from seed.
About the Tutor:
Andrew Tolman is now in his 43rd year as Professional Gardener having worked in both the public & private sectors, including 11 years as a Senior Gardener at Highgrove. He has spent the last 12 years self-employed working in various gardens & on projects mainly in the Cotswolds, North Wiltshire, Devon, Somerset & Shropshire areas. Andrew is highly skilled at Pruning & Training trees, and is recognised in the industry for his Renovation Pruning techniques, whereby he can bring back plants into full fruit production. The Garden Owner James is the treasurer for the WFGA and a keen self-taught gardener, having brought his own gardens back to life over the last 20 years.
About the Workshop:
The day will begin with a session on how to properly sharpen and sterilise tools ready for pruning. Andrew will discuss all elements of annual winter pruning of orchard fruit, mainly concentrating on Apples and Pears, Quince and Medlar. This will include when to prune, why we prune, pruning pitfalls, when not to prune, tools, limitations of pruning, and requirements of different types of fruit trees. After a break for lunch, we will head back out into the orchard and put all of our new skills into practice. Questions are welcomed throughout. It is sure to be a great learning experience and a really enjoyable day in the orchard. A garden tour will also be offered where you can see the host’s impressive glasshouse and raised vegetable garden.
Timings:
9.45am for a 10.00am start
Ends: 4pm
Please Bring:
Secateurs and loppers, gardening gloves, appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy footwear, plus a packed lunch.
Refreshments:
Tea, coffee, water and biscuits will be provided. Please bring a packed lunch.
Cost:
Members £65 | Non-members £85
Tickets:
Your event ticket will be emailed to you once we complete your booking, and a copy can be found in your Working for Gardeners account in the ‘Tickets’ section.
Please read our Terms & Conditions for important information relating to events bookings.
