Fruit Tree Grafting

Fruit trees have been grafted for centuries around the world, yet the number of people with this skill in the UK is diminishing. 

In this workshop, run by Andy Howard of the Heritage Fruit Tree Co., you will learn how to graft your own fruit tree, giving you the skills needed to bring back this important rural skill. We'll take a look at the hundreds of varieties of fruit trees in the Heritage Orchard at FarmED and use some of these trees as genetic resources for grafting new trees. 

You will get tea and coffee on arrival and a hot lunch will be provided in FarmEAT.

By the end of the course you will have learnt: 

• The history of grafting and its importance today for fruit production  
• How to select, collect and store “scion” wood and rootstocks for fruit tree grafting 
• The differences between types of fruit trees and what you can graft onto  
• The types of rootstocks available and how they affect the tree you produce  
• How to successfully graft your own fruit tree using more than one method  
• Why a graft fails or succeeds and the aftercare required 

Plus... you'll get to take home your very own grafted fruit tree! 

We'll provide you with all the materials you need as well as a hot seasonal lunch from the FarmEAT kitchen.

All you need to bring are clothes suitable for getting a bit muddy and rained on (boots and gloves recommended!). 

If you have your own secateurs or grafting knife please bring them along as the more practice with your own tools the better grafter you will become (Andy recommends and uses an Opinel size 7 or 8 knife for grafting).

We like to take photos and occasionally videos of our events to use on our website and social media, please let us know if you do not want to be photographed.