| Orchard Care Workshop Learn the basics of fruit tree maintenance |
This workshop will cover the basics of pruning: Learn how to use the tools, make proper cuts, and identify problematic growth. Other topics to be covered will include basic tree identification, and an introduction to our suggested "Maintenance Calendar". The workshop is free, provided that you contribute 20 hours of volunteer time to caring for our orchards. Dorchester, Massachusetts March 21st and 22nd 10:00AM-2:00PM |
| EarthWorks Earthday Weekend Join us for the Green Apple Festival |
Volunteer with EarthWorks as part of the Green Apple Festival, "America's Largest Earth Day Action" over Earth Day Weekend - April 18th and 19th. Join civic and environmentally-minded Americans in a simultaneous nationwide weekend of action that will focus on environmental volunteerism. Then, on Sunday, April 19th, celebrate your efforts by going to a free "Thank You Concert" for all volunteers that will be held at a popular local music venue in Boston! EarthWorks will be leading volunteers on a project at the Cooper Community Center where we will be clearing brush, planting trees, and ammending soils to create a healthy productive orchard for the Fort Hill Neighborhood. You can sign up at the Green Apple Festival website or by contacting Andrew - 617.442.1059 - andrew@earthworksboston.org Roxbury, Massachusetts 02119 April 18th and 19th 10AM - 3AM |
| City Fruit - New Orchard Expansion Orchard Planting Projects |
EarthWorks is excited about two new orchards being installed this year. One at our home office at the Cooper Community Center and another at the Clapp Farm in Dorchester with the Dorchester Historical Society. These projects will be labor intensive and we need your help. If you are available on one of the dates above to help us plant trees, mulch, and do some light gardening give us a call or email andrew@earthworksboston.org. We will provide gloves and tools and encourage you to come dressed for the weather including close toed shoes! Pre-registration is required. Cooper Community Center in Roxbury (map) Saturday May 30th, 10:00 - 3:00 pm Clapp Farm in Dorchester (map) Sunday May 31st, 12:00 - 4:00 pm Clapp Farm in Dorchester (map) |
| Group Volunteering Sign Up for Spring 2009 is now open!!! |
We are currently booking group projects for the spring. We can accomodate groups of 5-20 adults on most weekdays or weekends. We can also host larger groups with appropriate funding. We also offer volunteer opportunities for youth groups that are chaperoned by adults. Projects typically include tree planting, invasive species removal, tree care, fruit harvesting or orchard care, and schoolyard garden care; tasks vary depending on the date and site. |
| An Apple-A-Day Orchard Intensive with Michael Phillips Home Orchard Basics - HOR 155 |
Successfully growing fruit for your family and neighborhood depends on several essential orcharding skills. What starts off sounding so "awfully complicated" can be straightforward when you narrow your scope to understanding the basics. For example, harvesting sunlight through smart pruning renews fruit buds. Fungal diseases become manageable with wise variety selections and enhanced soil biology. Even major insect challenges can be resolved safely when you consider who, what, and when. This workshop is filled with practical information for growing apples and other tree fruits. Arnold Arboretum Hunnewell Building Sat May 9 9:00am-Noon Fee $30 member, $35 nonmember Register by emailing or calling Andrew Birch (617) 442-1059 andrew@earthworksboston.org Organic Apple Insights - HOR 311 Michael Phillips will expand on the morning's themes in this session dedicated to organic orchard techniques. You'll learn about building system health by embracing "tree ecology" and consider orchard compost, herbal teas, and mycorrhizal inoculum. The nutrient density-and flavor-of the apples you harvest for your family is of utmost importance. Dealing with specific pest and disease situations from a holistic perspective requires in-depth understanding of cause-and-effect. The misuse of fungicides and soluble fertilizers often adds to the susceptibility of varieties assumed to be prone to fungal infection. Just as apt, ignoring diversity and biological cycles makes insect dynamics all the more problematic without a chemical arsenal. A core paradigm of organic orcharding states that one sprays not so much to "kill" as to create health so that the system can begin to take care of itself. Growing healthy fruit requires an appreciation of subtleties that make our time on this precious planet all the more fascinating. Note: you must attend the morning session in order to participate in the afternoon session. Arnold Arboretum Hunnewell Building Sat May 9 1:00-4:00pm [HB] Fee $60 member, $70 nonmember for the day (HOR155 & HOR311) Fee $30 member, $35 nonmember for the morning only (HOR155) Co-sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and Earthworks |
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