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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 21h

We're helping young women experiencing homelessness in Edinburgh learn more about food growing. At a recent session, Alix worked with them to clear & plant up a raised herb bed, carry out plant ID, make cuttings, design signs, pick apples & enjoy homegrown apple juice together.

A person plants a sage into a wooden raised bed, next to a strawberry plant.

Woman smiling as she weeds inbetween plants in a raised wooden bed.

People making various plant signs on slate pieces using chalk pens, sitting at a wooden bench.

Three hands holding out bright red apples with grass beneath

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Thanks so much for your kind words 🙏

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Training people to care for #communityorchards and #forestgardens is a vital part of our work, as the ripple effects of this extend far wider than we can ever imagine. Here's just a few images from our work across the UK over the past few months!

Person with brown boots on, holding a graft between them.

Several people in a garden setting pruning trained fruit trees, with an orange wheelbarrow of cuttings on the grass and a greenhouse in the background

Group of people smiling in the sunshine, applying cardboard to the ground and planting fruit bushes into it

Group of people standing around a map with 3D models on trees on, inside a wooden building with a blackboard behind

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Anyone else have a tendency to look down mid bite and remark on unusual apple markings? Or is it just us fruit nerds 😅? #CoxApple #CommunityOrchards

Red apple with yellow and red spotted stripe in a hand

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Need an excuse to play in the autumn leaves? No, we don’t either. But if you want to play in the leaves and help your fruit trees to thrive, why not make some leaf mould? 🍂 Our #LeafMould advice page has a step-by-step guide to making your own: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/guides_and_a...

Brown and orange autumn leaves on the ground. Text reads: "It's leaf mould time! Tis the season for gathering leaves to make a nutrient-rich mulch."

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Did you know a donation to us can be worth 25% more if you simply #TickTheBox? Gift Aid allows us to reclaim tax on any donations made by UK tax payers at no extra cost to you or us, making your donation go further 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/make-a-singl... #CommunityOrchards #GiftAid

An image of a pear and leaves with the words - you helped us raise +£4k last year through gift aid

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

We hate waste, especially when it comes to fruit, so we jumped at Martyn from Agriton's offer to write a blog for us about using Bokashi composting to turn apple pulp into nutrient-rich soil conditioner 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/bokashi... #Bokashi #CommunityOrchards #Composting #Apples

Partly chopped green apples starting to brown, on sawdust and straw

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

🥧 If you can’t face yet another crumble & have a freezer full of fruit, it's time to consider sharing your surplus! Check out our fruit donation directory to find a willing recipient nearby: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/donate-apples #CommunityOrchards

Hand holding out a white and red flushed apple that is cut in half to show the pips, with blurred body in the background

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🌳 Looking to improve your orcharding skills, particularly with veteran trees? Our next Certificate in Community Orcharding course starts next month in Barnet, London, with just three places remaining 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/certi... #CommunityOrchards #VeteranTrees

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It's the #AutumnEquinox! Today, day & night are in equal balance. 🌞 The moon also appears bigger & brighter. It's named the Harvest Moon as it's said the extra illumination allowed farmers to gather their harvest later in the evening. Would you harvest by moonlight? #CommunityOrchards

A close up photo of a person's hands holding as many red apples as they can, against the black backdrop of their t-shirt.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Summer heatwaves & droughts are now more common across Europe, impacting harvests. Food security is a major concern. But what if there's a way to improve our food resilience through #communityorchards? www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/increas...

A woman in white dungarees and a t shirt stands smiling in front of a van full to bursting with net bags of green and red apples

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

We've launched two new programmes in #Edinburgh designed to support young people facing significant barriers to employment. Working with partners Barnardo's & Four Square, we aim to help them build confidence & develop practical, hands-on skills that could lead to further education or green jobs.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Just spotted you're in Northumberland - it's quite tricky to grow them successfully that far north if it makes you feel a little better!

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Feeling bad about our brag now 😐 Hope the fruit gods are kinder to you next year...

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

So sorry to hear that as it is truly a wonderful fruit 🥲 Hopefully next year will be better!

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

How gorgeous are these #greengages? 😍 Our London project manager Lizzy gathered this impressive haul at a recent community harvest day at St Joseph's College in Barnet. She said she'd never seen so many there! #CommunityOrchards

A glass container of greengages on a wooden bench

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

We often get asked how you know when fruit is ready to be picked, and that's a really good question! One great tip, as shown in this poster by our talented Glasgow project manager Fergus, is to cup your hand under the fruit & give it a gentle twist. If it comes off easily, then it's perfect 🍏

Hand drawn blackboard with a yellow hand holding a green apple and giving it a gentle quarter turn twist

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Find out more about our online Award in Forest Gardening www.theorchardproject.org.uk/what-we-do/f... and our Certificate in Community Orcharding (Barnet, North London) www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/certi... starting soon.

theorchardproject.org.uk

Award in Forest Gardening - The Orchard Project

Our forest gardening course equips you with all the skills needed to design, plant, and care for a fruitful, flourishing greenspace.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Have you ever thought about growing food to plants roots within your local community (both literally & metaphorically), but don't know how to begin? Our orcharding & forest garden courses could be what you're looking for. Register now & begin your journey into community food growing. 🌱 Links below.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

🍐 Last week we harvested pears from a 150 year-old pear tree at Gartnavel General Hospital for our #Glasgow Orchard Commons project! We collected 40kg of heritage pears & 100kg of apples, with some of the fruit being turned into delicious juice by our pedal-powered Velojuicer 😋 #CommunityOrchards

A group of people picking red apples from a tree and placing them on a blue tarpaulin below.

A selection of red and green apples in a blue crate

Pears spread out on a green tarpaulin on the ground, with people all around crouched down adding fruit to it.

A woman in a grey t short pedals the Velojuicer in front of a building as others look on

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

It’s Organic September, @thesoilassociation.bsky.social‘s celebration of organic farming. Community orchards are often chemical-free spaces working to organic principles, using composting, mulching & biodiversity for soil & plant health 🪱. #OrganicSeptember #OrganicFarming #CommunityOrchards

A man checks young fruit trees to be planted.

Photo credit: weCREATE

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

📖 Calling all teachers & home schoolers! We’ve created 20 inspiring primary & secondary PDF lesson plans to help you bring the classroom outside. Simply choose which subjects you feel your students will enjoy the most: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/school_lesso... #CommunityOrchards #LessonPlansUK

A woman is smiling at the camera and kneeling down with a tape measure on grass as children in uniform help to measure out spacing between trees ahead of planting.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Have you checked out Incredible Edible’s ‘The power of small actions’ podcast? This week we’re enjoying their episode with @nationalparkcity.bsky.social on the Right to Grow, exploring how this movement is expanding across London. Listen here: www.incredibleedible.org.uk/news/a-right...

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Learn all about fruit tree grafting, pruning, soil health, orchard design & so much more with our accredited Certificate in #CommunityOrcharding courses starting September in Bristol & North London. Spaces are filling up fast: Find out more 👇️ www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/booking...

A female orchardist stands in a sunny community orchard showing how to make a grafting cut with a grafting knife on a fruit tree scion.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

🏆️ The winner of our Community Orchard Volunteer of the Year Awards 2026 is Karoline from Mitcham Community Orchard! "The orchard wouldn't be what it is today without her,” says Katie, who nominated her. 🏆️ Runner-up was Rona from Midlothian Community Hospital Garden in Bonnyrigg, Scotland.

Graphic of two women smiling at the camera, one wearing a white hat and blue and white checked shirt, holding watering cans and the other in a long sleeved brown top holding secateurs next to an espalier fruit tree. It has the text: Volunteer of the Year 2006 and winner - Karoline, Mitcham Community Orchard & Gardens and Runner up Rona, Midlothian Community Hospital Garden

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

If you're looking to design a growing space that's more resilient to heatwaves & other extreme weather events, forest gardens are a great option. Find out more about our upcoming course 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/level... #CommunityOrchards #ResilientGarden #ForestGardens #Permaculture

Quote against a background of apple blossom:
"Now that I have finished the course it doesn't feel like an ending - it feels like the start of something new and exciting. I can't wait to share my knowledge with others and to start work on developing a new garden."

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Creating a wonderful no-dig #ForestGarden in Rodney Fields, Manchester, needs a few ingredients: Beautiful fruiting shrubs, perennial herbs, ground cover plants, wood chip mulch, dedicated volunteers & a whole load of cardboard! Planted with our project manager Rukes' guidance🍓. #CommunityOrchard

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Do you grow tropical fruit in the UK? Increasingly hotter summers mean we have to be a bit more creative about what we grow to eat. Kaz, from London, is one such gardener already looking to the future, with his passion for #pawpaws: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/for-the... #CommunityOrchards

Kaz, wearing a blue shirt and glasses, looks to the camera next to his pawpaw fruit tree, with the quote: “The very best moments of an English summer are sitting on a bench next to my pawpaw trees with a cup of tea; I am at peace with no worries in the world!”

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Our friend Fruity Walks recently visited Mitcham community orchard to learn how they summer prune their plum trees. If you're on Instagram, check out Fruity Walk's special summer pruning video 🍒. We also have a handy guide to summer pruning on our website www.theorchardproject.org.uk/guides_and_a...

Fruity Walks and Franki from Mitcham community orchard smiling in the orchard beneath a plum tree.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

If you’re the kind of person who stops scrolling at an image of some tiny wooden trees, then you’re probably a likely future Certificate in Community Orcharding (CICO) student! Our next course is in Barnet, North London, with some free places available: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/certi...

Tiny wooden 3D trees on a handwritten map

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Keep your eyes peeled this week for a special #SummerPruning tips video with our friend Fruity Walks over on Instagram. 👀 To whet your pruning appetite, here's orchardists at #BryngarwCountryPark getting stuck in to their summer pruning session with our project manager Witchhazel. #CommunityOrchard

Group of people pruning a tree in summer

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Just a few weeks left to apply for our free Consultant Development Programme! We are particularly keen to hear from bi-lingual Cymraeg speakers, as this year's focus is on Wales and SW England. Apply before 15 August 2026 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/community-or... #CommunityOrchards #GreenJobs

A woman arranges 3D wooden models trees on a map, with others talking in the background slightly out of focus.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Dim ond ychydig wythnosau sy’n weddill i chi allu gwneud cais am ein Rhaglen Datblygu Ymgynghorwyr! Rydym ni’n arbennig o awyddus i glywed gan siaradwyr Cymraeg, gan fod ffocws eleni ar Gymru a de-orllewin Lloegr. Gwnewch gais cyn 15 Awst 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/community-or...

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Having healthy trees in a heatwave is no easy task. In #Wales, orchardists at Kenfig National Nature Reserve have protected the soil around their trees with water retaining mulch mats, under the guidance of our project manager Witchhazel. 👏 #CommunityOrchard

Scorched grass from heat with apple trees in cages

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

This image is our new donation ‘slice’ made from coppiced hazel, then 3D printed. Keep an eye out for them at our upcoming events! They have been made for us by a generous community orchard volunteer and inspired by the ones in Tebay Services’ cafe, that support the fantastic Growing Well project.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

🌿 Have your say about our communications and how community orchards are doing in your area and be in a draw for a £30 gift voucher from Hetty's Herbs 👉 form.jotform.com/261464748497... #CommunityOrchards

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

We're bringing together fruit growers in #Glasgow to create a city where everyone feels part of nurturing and harvesting community trees. Find out more: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/creatin... 📷️ J Earl @futurewoodlands.bsky.social

Two men pouring apple pulp into a bucket under a gazebo with apple and pear bunting hanging above

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Heading to the London #permaculture festival today, where we have a stall 🌱 Come chat to us about orchards and our upcoming courses!

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Research from University of Reading has shown that forest garden systems support beneficial insect biodiversity and lead to better apple crops. Our project manager Witchhazel takes us on a tour of the forest garden we established at Cae Tân near Swansea. #ForestGardens

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Whose mouth is watering just at the thought of eating these berries?! Our training co-ordinator Sarah shares why she loves this time of year in our latest blog: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/in-cele... #FoodForests #Permaculture #CommunityOrchards

Hand holding a glass jar full of red wild strawberries against a backdrop of comfrey and daisies

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Cities can be very overwhelming places, particularly for neurodivergent people. Inspired by a recent article in The Developer, by Urban Movement’s Christopher Martin, we’ve been reflecting on how urban orchards can help to create cities planned and designed with #neurodiversity in mind. 👇️

Text reads: Sensory softness:
Using fruit trees and perennial plants as buffers to busy streets adds a sense of calm and softness. Shrubs and trees can make loud city sounds appear more muted. Visual noise and glare from harsh sunlight are also reduced with tree canopies.

Text reads: Tree-lined transitions:
Quick transitions from a quiet environment to a busy one can be overwhelming for neurodivergent people. Green street borders including paths lined with fruit trees can create shaded walking routes, gently easing the nervous system into busier environments.

Background image shows a wide pavement lined with cherry trees in blossom.

Text reads: Spaces for refuge:
If a person becomes overwhelmed in the middle of a city, where can they go to self-regulate? Community orchards nestled within cities are safe havens for humans and wildlife alike. Defined spaces to pause and sit in the shade of a fruit tree reduces sensory demands on an overworked nervous system.

Background image shows an urban orchard full of trees and flowers.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Long, hot summer days can take their toll on us if we don’t keep well hydrated, and the same can be said for our fruit trees 🥵 Check out our handy guide to helping young trees thrive during a heatwave 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/guides_and_a... #CommunityOrchards #HeatWave #Mulch

A man using a red watering can on a new tree and the words 'hot weather tips - fruit trees'

A child with a watering can watering a tree with blossom on and 'water wisely'

A pile of woodchip with 'mulch more' over

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Certificate in Community Orcharding Course (CICO) students recently met at the Lush Greens #Bristol site. They enjoyed summer pruning, orchard design & some plant guild matchmaking! Sign up for our next course here 👉https://www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/certificate-community-orcharding-bristol

Three people in an outdoor classroom looking at a map with 3d wooden fruit trees on.

A group of people looking up at a plum tree to decide where to prune

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

This #PlasticFreeJuly we’re looking at the ways we can reduce plastics in #communityorchards. One of our favourite swaps is to ditch plastic tree guards in favour of willow or re-usable metal protection. Where young trees are in danger of damage from animals or passers-by, metal guards are best 🛡️

Two orchardists use a metal wire mesh to create a guard around a newly planted fruit tree.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Great to attend the #FeedingBritain conference in Newcastle today to understand more about how we can help towards creating a more resilient food system.

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The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Last chance to nominate an amazing #CommunityOrchard volunteer: deadline 16 July. They simply need to be involved in an orchard we've helped to improve or create and willing to have their photo and first name shared on our comms channels. 👉 form.jotform.com/261472033112...

Two women in orchard settings smiling at the camera with 2025 Community Orchard Volunteers of the Year above.

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