Fruit Tree Orchards and Community Growers Gloucester
Fruit Tree Orchards and Community Growers
Fruit Tree Orchards and Community Growers
Fruit tree orchards are becoming part of some modern communities
This page looks at community fruit tree orchards and how they are being managed for the benefit of all. There are some examples from the UK and a look at community supported farms in the USA.
If you don't have room for your own private a community orchard might be a valuable alternative. There is now a movement for community orchards and it is going from strength to strength.
Community orchards can offer free or low-cost fruit and more
Even if you do already have your own, it's good to be a bit involved with community initiatives, too. You can share skills with others, both teaching and learning some. You may even find there is one near you, right now. You may find that you can learn about fruit tree care and fruit tree planting in a friendly neighbourhood orchard or community garden.
Read on for more on the different types of community fruit tree orchards which are emerging and for details of how you can get involved.
See here .
Picture above: A commercial apple orchard. Interesting tree shapes but community fruit tree orchards can offer more variety!
Fruit Tree Orchards and Community Growers:
Why community orchards?
Community orchards have come into being partly because people feel a sense of loss. Many of the excellent old varieties of fruit are no longer available in the shops. Commercial orchards have declined by over 50% in the last 25 years, so local fruit is far less available to us now than it was to our parents'generation.
The insipid choices of fruit available in many supermarkets are often flown in from across the world and choice is limited to a handful of reliable varieties.
Meanwhile, there is a lack of restful and beautiful urban spaces in many towns and cities. An orchard is one of the most restful and inspiring places to pass some time - unless you are up a ladder picking fruit, of course!
Most European community gardens and orchards provide a shared space which can be enjoyed by community groups and individuals. Many host "Apple Days" and wildlife events for children. They also provide a space for schools to do outside activities which link in to the curriculum.
Fruit Tree Orchards and Community Growers:
How do community orchards work?
There are lots of different ways in which community orchards come about. Here are just a few.
Sometimes a piece of waste ground or a neglected area of urban landscape is taken and a community garden is planned. An orchard will often be part of the community garden.
Some community orchards are developed of part of a park or other public amenity area. There is one, described below, which is based on an allotment space.
Some councils are now working to restore old orchards. Here in Suffolk there are schemes in a few public parks to restore historic orchards. Often valuable old varieties are revealed which are well suited to loca...
