3 Quick Updates on Events and Classes

  1. We have joined the modern world and now provide the option to pay for all purchases at the Winter Field Day with credit cards! We hope this helps you spend more.
  2. Due to popular demand, we have added a second afternoon whip grafting class on March 21. See class description on what you will need to bring to the class. We will only have mostly practice wood available on day of the class. The same goes for those who have signed up for the Top Working Class in April. We will Top Work on our trees. You will need to have your own materials saved up at home if you want to top work one of your trees after the class.
  3. We will be selling some quality trees that we’ve been growing but no longer need in our nursery. See descriptions and prices below the Saturday Classes Section.

NW Fruit Saturday Classes 

Classes will be held on Saturday mornings, most from 9:30 to 11:30, in our Fruit Garden, located at 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA unless noted in class description.   All classes are free with current membership.  Each class has a separate registration in Signup Genius, which must be completed 7 days in advance of the class date for our planning purposes.  Use this link  NW Fruit Saturday Classes  to register for one or all the classes.  To become a member of NW Fruit use this link Become a Member. 

Classes meet in the Pavillion located in the Master Gardener area at 9:30 AM unless otherwise noted.  If you have questions about any of the classes, contact Jake Jacobson. 

Jun 6 – Apple Thinning and Insect Pest Control in the Backyard Orchard with Scott Terrell and Colleen Sanders.

We will demonstrate how to thin your fruit to improve fruit size and quality. Techniques for “organic” insect control in your home orchard will be discussed focusing on sticky traps, fruit footies (maggot barriers) and tree netting. We will demonstrate, with your participation, fruit thinning and the use of sticky traps, fruit footies and tree netting. Class size is limited to 25 members.

June 27- Annual fruit tree pruning with Steve Gaber.

We will discuss specific pruning cuts, “where to cut” and “how much to remove”. We will then move to the orchard for actual hands-on pruning practice, so review the study materials sent out one week before the class and bring your pruning tools. Steve is on our NW Fruit orchard pruning team and conducts maintenance pruning for three Whatcom County public agencies as a volunteer. Class is full, but we are adding a second class at a later date.  Watch for announcements.  Class size is limited to 15 members.

July 11- Summer Pruning with Steve Gaber

This class, a repeat of the summer pruning class offered in June, is a more in-depth exploration into summer pruning methods for fruit trees. Despite being considered “off season pruning”, summer pruning has its place in the home orchard. It may be necessary to repair damaged tree limbs, and summer pruning is also intended to encourage huskier growth in vigorously vegetative trees, discouraging long, weak, leggy growth. This also helps manage the tree’s overall size. Class size is limited to 15 members.

August 22 – Bud Grafting Class with Larry Crum and Sam Benowitz

Bud Grafting, also known as chip budding or T-budding, is a type of grafting where a single bud is used as the scion, and is a method used to propagate fruit trees, particularly in late summer or early fall, before the trees go dormant. We will show how to select healthy, plump buds form the current year’s growth, how to prepare the scion and rootstock, insert the scion and secure the graft along with follow-up tips. Class size is limited to 20 members.

September 12- An Eating and Learning Tour of the Fruit Garden with Sam Benowitz.

We will spend time discussing and tasting many heirloom apple varieties. As we walk the garden, we will also discuss the many other types of fruit we can grow in Puget Sound and how to successfully grow each in your home garden. Class size is limited to 25 members.

October 10th Apple & Pear Sample the Harvest Day

Our annual membership only Harvest Day does not require pre-registration. Come, learn from experts about the many ways to enjoy the harvest and take home some fruit. We will also have a handful of new young fruit trees available for purchase. These trees were grafted by our volunteers last spring, using scions from our most popular fruit trees, and you will be able to taste their future fruit! Watch for future notices.