Care of fruit trees

If you've been spending any time lately thinking about how to better manage a garden or are curious about the orchards at Stanmer Park, there is a day-long workshop coming up that covers the essentials. On Saturday, 30 May 2026, Brighton Permaculture Trust is hosting their Care of fruit trees course. It runs from 09:30 until 17:00, providing a fairly intensive look at what it takes to keep a tree healthy from its initial planting through to its mature years. The day is structured to balance time in the classroom with practical sessions out among the trees, so you get to see the theory applied to the actual landscape of the park.

The curriculum covers the practicalities that often get overlooked, such as specific irrigation needs and how to handle organic fertilisation. You’ll also spend time learning about pest management and the fundamentals of soil maintenance, alongside an introduction to pruning. It is aimed at anyone aged 16 and over, and since it’s a foundational course, you don't need any prior knowledge of permaculture or horticulture to take part. The instructors—who might be Stephan Gehrels, Jenni Cresswell, Bryn Thomas, or Peter May—bring a lot of direct experience from working in these specific local environments.

In terms of the logistics, the pricing is set on a sliding scale to make it accessible to different income levels. Depending on your situation, the cost falls between £56 and £175, with a standard rate of £70 often cited. This fee covers your tuition, the materials you'll use during the day, and refreshments. One of the more interesting aspects of how the Brighton Permaculture Trust operates is the opportunity for follow-up. After the course, participants can look into volunteering at the Stanmer Park orchards, which is a straightforward way to put the skills like pruning or soil care into practice on a regular basis while contributing to the local green spaces.