The Grounded Orchardist

So, I have some great news! I’m now a tutor for the Raymond Blanc Gardening School. I’m teaching some winter pruning courses, summer pruning courses and grafting courses in 2024. I feel very honoured and I’m looking forward to teaching but also learning from others!

It’s put a bit of a spring in my step. Not just for the obvious reasons but whilst I was writing the course I realised how much I knew! It might sound silly but after nearly ten years of orchard pruning I don’t really think about what I’m doing now, I just do it. So to get the information out of my head and on paper has been really interesting and enjoyable.

It’s inspired me to write a book…maybe it will be an e-book on here and I’m not sure exactly how to break it up but I’d like to write my view. A grounded way of looking at orcharding. A book that teaches and hopefully instills a bit of confidence in looking after your fruit. With a mix of humour from mistakes I’ve made and seen which have instilled a greater understanding of why we do things the way we do. The rule breaking I do every year and why. Plus the journey of working with climate change, learning as we go.

The pruning courses at the Raymond Blanc Gardening School will cover the theory, good husbandry, different techniques and the chance to get hands on practice in our orchard. Also included are some funny anecdotes (in my opinion), analogies to help you remember, Lunch (very important!), refreshments provided throughout and the lovely surroundings of Le Manoir Aux quat’saisons.

If you would like to book onto one of the fruit tree courses or any of our other amazing courses please peruse at your leisure here. https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons/gardening-school

Exciting stuff!!! 🙂