Join Wagtail Urban Farm’s Steven Hoepfner on Sunday, March 6 for this hands-on pruning workshop in the Adelaide Hills. Learn the basics during an hour of theory, then put it all into practice within the orchards of the esteemed Nirvana Organic Farm.

You will learn

• The basics of pruning – where to cut, what to cut and how to cut for maximum fruit yield.
• Key differences between pruning techniques for healthy fruit trees versus those untouched for years.
• How to reduce the height of fruit trees that are large, leggy or otherwise difficult to access.
• Ways to determine how a tree fruits (tip or spur fruiting) to ensure you don’t accidentally chop off next year’s harvest.
• How to tell if rootstock has taken over a grafted tree – and ways to remove the dominant rootstock so your tree will fruit properly again.
• Planning for future netting – pruning to ensure a summertime net will fit over your tree next year.
• Easy-to-spot signs that indicate a neglected tree cannot be saved and must be removed entirely.
• Biodynamic approaches to fruit tree pruning, including best days to make cuts and the benefits of biodynamic tree paste.
• What tools are needed for different pruning circumstances, and how to prevent disease transfer between trees.

The fruit trees we’ll be observing and working with include apples, pears, plums, nectarines and quinces.

Your teacher

This workshop is facilitated by Steven Hoepfner of Wagtail Urban Farm. Steven is a renowned garden designer and speaker who has spent the past decade helping thousands of South Australians learn to grow great veggies, fruit and native edible plants.

He will be supported by Adelaide permaculturists Koren Helbig and Carmelo Scavone, and Nirvana Organic Farm owner Deb Cantrill.

Date & location

• Sunday, March 6
• 9am to midday
• Option to stay for a BYO lunch afterwards + more pruning practice in the afternoon.

The workshop will be held within two established orchards at Nirvana Organic Farm in the Adelaide Hills (184 Longwood Road, Heathfield). Nirvana has been run as a biodynamic farm for 30+ years by Deb Cantrill and Quentin Jones — pioneers in the Australian organic movement.

Please note: this site has uneven ground and is steep in sections, so is unsuitable for wheelchair access (apologies).

You will need to bring

• A hat, closed-in flat shoes, sun-smart and gardening-appropriate clothing, and sunscreen.
• A water bottle, snacks and a packed lunch yourself.
• Pruning equipment if you have it – things such as secateurs, pruning saws and loppers will be handy but are not essential (some equipment will be provided).

This is likely to be a two-part workshop, with the second instalment planned for winter 2022. Those who attend the summer workshop will be given first access to the winter workshop.