Carse of Gowrie Orchards

Training Programme 2011-12

The Carse of Gowrie Historic Orchards Project aims to safeguard and enhance the Historic Orchards and other features within the Carse of Gowrie by raising awareness of their landscape, cultural and biodiversity value with a view to future commercial and eco-tourism development

Practical Training Courses

Costs – training is free for Carse of Gowrie Residents and a small charge will be made for others. See individual events for cost. Pre-booking essential Full programme below or click for a printable programme. Check out the Orchards website for more information http://www.carseofgowrieorchards.org.uk

Saturday 30th July 2011 10 am - 4pm
Pests and Diseases of Orchard Trees £15 per person
At: Errol Community Hall and neighbouring orchards
Leaders – Margaret and Andrew Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
The workshop starts with a morning on the types of pest, disease and disorder most likely to cause problems in orchards, with plenty of hands-on recognition and discussion, followed by a break for refreshments. In the afternoon, participants will “bug-hunt” the community orchard in Gas Brae, and a mature orchard at Port Allen, before returning to base to learn about sustainable solutions. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and observe how orchard management can help reduce the risk of infestation

Monday 5th September 2011 6 or 6.30pm-9pm
Botany of Fruit Identification and plum Practice evening £10 per person
At: SCRI Invergowrie
Leaders – Margaret and Andrew Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
Those interested can meet at the earlier time at the SCRI Orchard, where we will compare the named plum trees and collect examples of the fruit. The physiology of fruit and how it varies in different cultivars will be the first topic at the classroom, followed by a headsdown identification session and test-yourself quiz.  Participants at this workshop can bring along fruit they want to identify, and may also be interested in the following workshop on 27th September.

Thursday 22nd September 2011 7pm - 9pm
Orchards and Pears of Perthshire : An evening talk £10 per person
At: Cairn O’Mohr Winery – Fort Bob
Leader - Andrew Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
An illustrated lecture on the remarkable history of the Carse orchards and their
relationship with fruit production throughout Perthshire. An extraordinary tale!

Sunday 25th September 2011 2pm - 5pm
Orchard Tour £15 per person
Meet at: Willowgate Fisheries
Leader – Andrew Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
Discover some of Perthshire’s most secret and iconic ancient orchards and learn what is being done to preserve them. Starting at flood-prone West Oaks on the Tay and finishing at the secluded Retreat remnant orchard, this tour will give participants a real flavour of the cultural landscape of the Carse of Gowrie. Carshare between orchards, and good footwear for walking needed.

Tuesday 27th September 2011 6.30pm – 9pm
Apple and Pear Identification Evening £10 per person
AT: SCRI Invergowrie
Leader - Andrew Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
Fruit characteristics relevant to apple and pear identification will be discussed, with reference to named examples collected by us. Participants will use books and new technology to identify any “mystery fruit” they have come across, and pool knowledge with others.

Saturday 29th October 2011 11am - 4pm
Thirsty Work – Juicing and Pressing for Apples and Pears £15 per person
At: Errol Community Hall TBC
Leader – Andrew Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
A practical workshop on ways to preserve the fruit harvest by producing juice, and how juice can then be preserved, bottled and made saleable, using crushing and pressing techniques and equipment. Refreshments on tap – bring your own apples!


Sunday 30th October 2011 11am - 4pm
Harvest : Ways to Cook and Preserve the Fruit Glut £15 per person
At: Errol Community Hall TBC
Leader – Margaret Lear
Book direct http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
Ideas and recipes – plus some practical cooking challenges! – for ways to make use of too-many-apples, pears, plums or other fruits. A good chance to swap recipes and try something new. Light lunch provided, mostly by participants. There will be a special emphasis on storing and using old varieties whose immediate claim to culinary excellence is hazy…...

Saturday 26th November 2011 10am – 4pm
Winter Pruning Practical Day £15 per person
At: a Carse of Gowrie Historic Orchard ?Elcho Castle.
Leader – Andrew Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
Routine and restorative pruning for apple and pear trees is demonstrated, discussed and debated before participants are let loose with pruning tools and learn the practicalities of this essential orchard task.

Saturday, 25th February 2012 10am – 3pm
New Orchards and Orchards Renewed £15 per person
Leader - Andrew Lear.
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
This workshop will combine orchard planning and management theory – what to avoid and what to focus on - with practical planting and establishment techniques, including training as espalier, fan or cordon. It is hoped to combine a practical orchard planting project with the course.

Saturday 3rd March 2012 10am - 3pm
Grafting: How to Propagate New Trees and Save Old Ones £20 per person
At: Plants with Purpose nursery, Bankfoot, Perthshire
Leader – Andrew Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
The theory and practice of a range of grafting methods will be covered in this hands-on workshop. Participants may bring a scion of a fruit tree they wish to propagate, and rootstocks will be available. Bring a suitable knife – care of tools will be covered. Numbers limited (could repeat). Light lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Saturday 12th May 2012 10am - 3pm
Fruit, Flowers and Bees – You can’t have one without the other £15 per person
At: Cairn O’Mohr Winery Tasting Room
Leader – Margaret Lear
Book direct via http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk
A celebration of blossom and bees – with insights into the anatomy and physiology of flowers and how this relates to pollinating insects. What is pollen? Why do flowers have nectar? How can orchards be managed to attract good pollinators? How many bees are needed to get a good crop? These and many other questions will be answered on this field-based, practical workshop.


Useful Contacts
Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD –Contact Paul McLennan, Trust Manager: Tel. 01738 475255; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Carse of Gowrie Historic Orchards Project Officer: Andrea Partridge: Tel 01333 320701; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Plants with Purpose : Margaret Lear and Andrew Lear, Middlebank Cottage, Smith’s Brae, Bankfoot, PH1 4AH. Tel: 01738 787278 / 07871 451579; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). http://www.appletreeman.co.uk or http://www.plantsandapples.co.uk