Our Latest News, Events and Offers

A Big Thank You to Peter Lickorish for His Fascinating Talk on Growing Fruit Successfully!

We had a fantastic evening with Peter Lickorish, who shared his wealth of knowledge on how to grow fruit successfully. From checking soil quality to pruning techniques, Peter gave us all the tips we need to enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Key Takeaways from Peter's Talk:

🌱 Check Your Soil:
Understanding the type of soil in your garden is essential before planting. Some fruits prefer sandy soil, while others do better in clay or loam. Not sure what kind of soil you have? Peter recommended using the Soilscapes map to check soil types in your area—so helpful!

🏡 Consider Heights and Space:
Whether you have a sprawling garden or a small corner, it's important to choose the right trees and plants that fit your space. Different fruit trees have varying heights and shapes, so make sure to pick ones that suit your garden's size.

💧 Fruits Are Thirsty and Hungry:
Peter emphasized that fruit plants need plenty of water and nutrients to thrive. Don’t skimp on feeding or watering your plants, especially during the growing season!

✂️ Pruning is Essential:
Regular and proper pruning ensures better airflow, more sunlight, and encourages your plants to focus energy on producing quality fruits. Prune with confidence, and you’ll see the rewards.

🍏 Choose Your Varieties Carefully:
Peter also shared a fantastic resource for researching fruit varieties: Orange Pippin. Whether you’re growing apples, pears, or plums, this site helps you find a variety that not only grows well but tastes great too!

Finally, for those growing raspberries, Peter shared a great graphic comparing staking summer raspberries versus autumn raspberries. It's all in how they grow and bear fruit, so make sure you’re staking them correctly to maximize your crop!

Once again, a huge thank you to Peter for the insight and practical advice. We hope everyone left feeling inspired with ways to improve (or even start) their own fruit gardens!