Growing tips
One of the aims of our Fruit-full Schools programme is to demonstrate that you don’t need a lot of space to establish a school orchard. You don’t even need a grass area! ‘Restricted’ tree forms such as compact columns, cordons, step-overs and espaliers are ideal for many schools. With the exception of compact columns, these all require a supporting post and wire framework, or they can be trained against a wall or fence. It is also possible to grow small apple trees in pots, although you must remember to feed and water them!
Apples are a well-loved and relatively easy fruit to grow. A single tree could last beyond your lifetime, providing beautiful blossom in spring and you will enjoy watching the young fruits grow and swell through the summer, before harvesting and using the apples in early autumn for eating fresh, juicing or cooking. Pears are more challenging to grow than apples, but given the right conditions will crop well. The trees are very long-lived and can easily survive for over a century – so a great tree to plant if celebrating or marking any sort of anniversary or occasion!
The information provided on our fact sheets covers all you need to know for successful apple and pear growing. Other tree fruits such as plums, damsons, gages and cherries are trained and pruned rather differently to apples and pears (and need summer rather than winter pruning), although advice given for sites and soils, planting and some pests and diseases apply to all tree fruits. If you want to grow plums, damsons, gages and cherries we recommend that you have a look at some of the books below:
Baker, H., Growing Fruit (Royal Horticultural Society’s Encyclopaedia of Practical Gardening), Latest edition 1999, published by Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184000153 4
Baker, H., The Fruit Garden Displayed (Royal Horticultural Society). 9th revised edition 1998, published by Cassell Illustrated. ISBN 030435001X
Bird, R., Pruning Fruiting Plants: A Practical Gardener's Guide to Pruning and Training Tree Fruit and Soft Fruit, illustrated edition 2006, published by Southwater. ISBN 1844762858
Brickell, C., & Joyce, D., Pruning and Training (The Royal Horticultural Society): The definitive practical guide to pruning trees, shrubs, roses and climbers (includes fruit). Latest edition 2006, published by Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 1405315261
Hessayon, D., The Fruit Expert, 1993, Pbi Publications. ISBN 0903505312
Morgan, J. & Richards, A., The New Book of Apples: The Definitive Guide to Over 2000 Varieties, 1992, Ebury Press, published in association with the Brogdale Horticultural Trust). ISBN 0091883989
Woodward, J., Pruning Hardy Fruits (A Wisley handbook), 1990, published by Cassell Illustrated. ISBN 0304311030
Downloads
Planning for change
An introductory step-by-step guide to re-thinking the design and use of your schools' outside spaces - by school grounds experts, Learning through Landscapes. Improve teaching and learning outcomes, encourage pupil participation and engage the wider community...and create more attractive places in which to grow and learn.
Download (PDF)
Unlocking the potential of your school grounds
A short, inspiring guide to making the full use of your school's outside spaces by Fruit-full Schools lead partner, Learning through Landscapes. Packed with practical tips and colourful case studies.
Download (PDF)
Links
Useful Links
A comprehensive list of orchard groups and resources by Fruit-full Schools partner Common Ground...
What’s Happening In My Region?
Fruit-full Schools partner, Common Ground's Gazeteer...a comprehensive list by county of orchard groups and events across the UK.
Orchard Bees
Guidance notes on bees and orchard beekeeping, fruit pollination and current issues affecting bee health from Fruit-full Schools partner, Common Ground
In partnership with
