Mass Aggie Seminar Teaches Home Orchard Setup and Pest Management

fruit trees
fruit trees

AMHERST, Mass. – Two workshops about managing a home orchard are scheduled for Saturday, April 6, at the Red Apple Farm, 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston.

“Home Orchard Establishment & Basics” will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by “Home Orchard Pest Management,” a hands-on workshop, from 1 to 3 p.m. Led by Jaime Piñero and Liz Garofalo of UMass Extension, the event is part of a series of home gardening workshops presented by Mass Aggie Seminars 2019.

The morning session will cover the basics of planting fruit trees, including site selection, choice or variety and rootstock, planting best practices, tree training and pruning, fertilization and ongoing fruit tree care. If weather permits, the workshop will include a demonstration of planting fruit trees.

The afternoon workshop will teach participants how to identify the insect pests and diseases that might afflict the fruit, and use integrated pest management in the home orchard. Topics will include scouting, monitoring and placing traps.

Part of the workshop will take place outside, so attendees should dress appropriately for potentially wet, cold and muddy conditions.

The cost is $50 per workshop or $90 to attend both. If attending both, participants  are encouraged to bring a bag lunch. Register at UMassGarden.com.