Fruit tree grafting
A one-day practical course
Saturday 4 August 2012
10am - 5pm
Stanmer Park, Brighton
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Learn how to graft fruit trees using the technique of “Chip Budding”.
What will the Fruit tree grafting course cover?
The course will encourage participants to develop practical skills in the propagation of fruit trees such as Apple, Pear, Plum and Cherry. We will discuss the commercial production of fruit trees and how fruit trees can be propagated on a smaller scale in the garden. Experience will be gained in the use of a grafting knife, concentrating on the technique of “Chip Budding” to graft an apple variety onto a rootstock. This type of grafting is carried out between late July and the end of August; participants are encouraged to put aside some time to practice after the course.
Background information will be provided on the selection and purchase of rootstocks, collection of propagating material and growing on of the trees. Details will also be given about the availability of all the materials used during the day.
The techniques learned can also be applied to a wide variety of ornamental trees including cultivars of Crab Apple, Flowering Cherry, Mountain Ash, Whitebeam, Ash and Maple.
These skills are useful to anyone who wishes to propagate fruit and ornamental trees commercially, or on a smaller scale in the garden.
The course will also cover the maintenance and sharpening of grafting knives. We will be using very sharp knives which should be handled with great care. A first aider will be available to administer plasters should the need arise.
Who is the course for?
The course will be of interest to gardeners and horticulturalists as well as the less experienced. No prior knowledge of grafting is needed. This course is open to anyone aged 16 or over.
The techniques taught are not strenuous however much of the work is done bending over or crouched down. You must be willing to spend most of the duration of the course out of doors. However if there is heavy rain we will be able to practice grafting under cover.
Learning methods and outcomes
The course will start with a discussion on the techniques used in grafting fruit trees. However, the majority of the course will be devoted to gaining practical experience with guidance from the tutor. There will be plenty of material to practice and gain confidence with, before having the opportunity to make several grafts onto apple rootstocks. By the end of the course, participants will have the practical skills necessary to propagate fruit trees and a variety of ornamental trees. Information sheets will be provided on the day.
What does the Fruit tree grafting course lead on to?
This short specialist course is not accredited and does not lead directly to any other qualification, but would be useful to people working in horticulture or those who wish to widen their propagating skills.
Course tutor
Tuition will by provided by Peter May, who has worked in commercial horticulture, and with community fruit growing projects.
Stephan Gehrels will be assisting Peter. Stephan works on school environmental projects in Brighton and has some experience of chip budding.
Venue
Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex), Brighton. Click here for directions to our meeting point near the church in Stanmer Park.
Click here for details of local accommodation and to find out about Brighton Permaculture Trust supporters who can provide accommodation in their homes.
What you will need to bring
• A small, sharp grafting knife if you have one. Peter will be happy to advise on knives if you are unsure what type to bring. There will be a limited number of grafting knives available to borrow on the day.
• Secateurs if you have them
• Warm weatherproof outdoor clothing
• Sun hat & sun screen
• Sturdy outdoor footwear
• Pens and a notebook
• A packed lunch
• Something to drink while we are outdoors (we will provide teas, etc)
Grafting knives
We would recommend that everyone who attends the grafting course has their own specialist grafting knife. We have a limited number of knives that can be used on the day, but it is always preferable to bring your own.
The best quality grafting knives are made by TINA of Germany. The knife blades are made from a high quality steel which can be sharpened to a good edge. The knives are used commercially in the horticulture industry and are the best available. TINA chip budding knives can be ordered online from www.qualitygardentools.com or telephone 0800 7832202. Models 640/10 and 650E/10.5 are both recommended.
Victorinox also make a practical chip budding knife. These are cheaper but are not such high quality. August 2009 information: Victorinox chip budding knives, ref BP39050BP, in price £8.49 plus postage can be obtained by ordering online from www.qualitygardentools.com or telephone 0800 7832202.
A good quality, fine wetstone is also essential for knife sharpening and these can be obtained from LSSystems ref SUFN3517 Price £26.40 plus postage (August 2009 information). See www.lssystems.co.uk or telephone 01772 815080.
Recommended reading
These books are recommended but it is not necessary for those attending to have bought them or read them.
• Grafters Handbook, RJ Garner
• Nursery Stock Manual, Keith Lamb, James Kelly and Peter Bowbrick
Fees
Fees include tuition, refreshments and information sheets.
£145 - Sponsored/organisation rate
£145 - Individual income more than 25k/yr
£115 - Individual income 18-25k/yr
£85 - Individual income less than 18k/yr
£55 - Individual, concessionary rate (please read below)
Concessionary rates are available to people in receipt of means-tested benefits (including housing benefit, council tax benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit (income does not exceed £16,190) and/or Child Tax Credit), full-time students and OAPs. Please bring evidence of this to the course.
We endeavour to make our courses/events affordable to all. Unfortunately we do not receive any external funding for most of our courses/events and rely on large amounts of voluntary input.
See the cancellations and refunds policy.
Booking the Fruit tree grafting course
Booking is essential, as most of our courses/events are fully booked weeks in advance. However, if places are still available, then bookings can be made until midday the day before the course/event. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment.
Please do not book unless you are able to pay for your place.
Paying for your place
Please read this section carefully, as you could lose your booking.
When you complete the booking process, you will receive a confirmation email from us. If you haven't received that email within the next few hours, please contact us immediately, as this email contains vital information regarding your booking.
You can pay when you book your place using a credit/debit card or PayPal, or you can tick the 'Pay later' box (in the Event Fee section), which gives you the option to pay by BACS or send us a cheque after you have booked.
If you tick the pay later box, you will have 7 days to pay for your place. Bookings that remain unpaid on our system for longer than that will be cancelled. You will receive notification of this cancellation by email. If you then decide you want to come, you will need to contact us to see if there is a still a place available for you.
If you are booking within two weeks of the course, you will not have the option to pay later. Instead, you will need to pay immediately at the point of booking using a credit card or PayPal. This will also be the only option available if the course is nearly fully booked.
Be certain that you understand ALL the information on this page, then:
Register here for Fruit tree grafting, 4 August 2012
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Contact us
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