How would you like to pick apples near your home, ripe from the tree when they are freshest and tastiest?
Not so long ago, orchards of all kinds of fruit trees were a common sight in the fields and gardens of England. Many have been lost, but now people are once again planting their own orchards. They are appearing around housing, in parks, school grounds, fields on the edge of towns and on village greens.
Brighton Permaculture Trust can help you
Sussex is at the forefront of planting orchards for the future. This is due in part to the work of Brighton Permaculture Trust and our partners. We have over ten years’ experience of helping people to plant and maintain orchards. For a few videos of previous projects, see our YouTube channel.
Orchards can be any size – we often plant small orchards of eight trees but there are no lower or upper limits. There are thirty Sussex apple varieties to choose from, and lots from elsewhere. You won’t find most of them in the shops, but you can grow them yourself.
Why plant an orchard?
Traditional orchards are important for a range of reasons. Orchards provide:
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- A source of locally produced healthy food for years to come
- A place of beauty to enjoy, unwind and relax or come together with others
- A home for all kinds of wildlife, improving biodiversity and creating new habitats
- An opportunity to grow unusual apple varieties and other kinds of fruits & nuts with wonderful flavours
- A way to reduce our carbon footprint by both reducing food miles and locking away carbon in the trees & surrounding unmown grass
- A natural way to regulate temperatures, reduce air pollution and curb run off of water
What we offer
Our basic Community Orchard package for Community Groups and Schools:
- Site assessment and orchard design
- Trees and planting materials
- Guided planting days (all ages, all abilities catered for)
- Aftercare visits summer and winter for 2 years to advise on tree care
- One-day training for 2 volunteers in looking after young fruit trees
We can also offer:
- Workshops to introduce the theme of orchards to children or adults
- Fruit cookery sessions
- Apple juice pressing on a traditional press – a group activity for all ages
- Training in other orchard skills: pruning, grafting, scything, creating a forest garden
Ready to plant an orchard?
Contact our Community Orchard Team who are waiting to help you plant a future together.
Use the Make an Enquiry button at the bottom of this page.
