You are invited to join the Peterborough Community Orchard Stewards for our Spring Stewardship Days!

Did you know?

Last year volunteers led the way in establishing community orchards in a number of City parks and community gardens. In the spring fruit trees need to be pruned to spur new growth and to shape the tree for good air flow and sun exposure. We need to lay mulch to help protect the growing root system. The trees will need lots of water. There is lots to do and we’d love your help!

The volunteer-led Community Orchard Stewards will work together to prep the fruit trees for a great growing season. We invite you to join us!

• Meet the trees, learn about the project & how to get involved
• Learn the basics of pruning
• Help spread mulch and haul water
• Join our growing group of community members dedicated to fruit projects & learn about how community orchards and food forests are good for all!

We will meet in the morning, at a dedicated location. Once we finish at one orchard, we will move on to the next orchard, as time allows. Please feel free to join us for however long you can:

• If you just have a few minutes, just swing by to say hi
• If you have an hour or two, we’d love your help
• If you can stay for most of the day, please arrange for transportation between sites and bring a lunch. We’ll look forward to taking a break together and socializing.

If you are interested in volunteering please register here.

Rain may mean we reschedule. Please pay attention to our social media pages for updates.

Wednesday April 5, 10:00 am – 3:00pm

Meet at Talwood Community Orchard

Located in public park situated behind 1001 Talwood Dr.

We’ll move on to the following orchards as time allows:

• Reid/Rubidge Community Orchard
• Steward St Community Garden Trees (if there is time)
• Knights of Columbus Trees (if there is time)

Wednesday April 12, 10:00 am – 3:00pm

Meet at Keith Wightman Community Orchard

845 Chamberlain St.

Then we’ll move on to Maple Ridge Park Community Orchard

Wednesday April 19, 10:00 am – 3:00pm

Meet at Roland Glover Community Orchard

Leahys Ln.

Then we’ll carry on to Dominion Park Community Orchard

Program background

Through the pandemic, GreenUP and Nourish have been collaborating on a number of Growing Together While Apart projects where residents gathered virtually to share tips on growing food in small spaces (i.e.microgreens and container gardens), and explore opportunities to plant fruit in public + quasi public spaces. The important role access to quality public space plays in our health, and wellbeing was made clear. Through the Growing Edible Infrastructure project, we were able to plant fruit trees and berry bushes (which is always a good thing), and invite people to participate in public spaces in new and nurturing ways.

To learn more about the evolution of the project, click here.

Connect with the Peterborough Community Orchard Stewards through this Facebook group.