Description

Bench Grafting – Saturday 20th April  10am – 4:30pm

Unlock the secrets of creating your very own apple orchard with our immersive Bench Grafting Workshop at Irish Seed Savers. Imagine the satisfaction of plucking crisp heirloom apples from trees you crafted with your own hands. This full-day workshop offers a unique opportunity to delve into the time-honoured skill of bench grafting.

The day will involve theory, demonstrations and practical.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Small Class Sizes – Enjoy personalized training with our orchardist expert in an intimate setting limited to 12 participants.

Heritage Scion Wood – Work with scion wood from the National Irish Heritage Apple Tree Collection.

Take Home Your Creations – Leave with not just knowledge but two self-grafted apple trees!

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Grafting History and Theory: Gain insights into the rich history and theory behind the art of grafting.

Best Varieties and Rootstock Selection: Discover the best apple varieties to graft and how to choose the right rootstocks for successful growth.

Scion Wood Harvesting: Learn the art of harvesting and storing quality scion wood, crucial for successful grafting.

Bench Grafting Techniques – Learn the intricacies of bench grafting, a traditional orchard skill where you’ll graft scion wood onto rootstock, growing new trees.

 

PRACTICAL SKILLS:

Safe Grafting Knife Use – Master the safe use of grafting knives and sharpening stones.

Grafting Techniques – Practice ‘whip & tongue’ and ‘rind’ grafting techniques with hands-on demonstrations.

Sealing and Compressing: Perfect the art of sealing and compressing the graft for optimal growth.

Wax Sealing: Learn the importance of sealing the tip with wax for protection.

Heeling In and Aftercare: Understand the process of heeling in the graft and essential aftercare practices.

 

Cost: €100

All materials will be provided, including scion wood, rootstocks, wax, grafting tape, compost, pots, grafting knives and two self-grafted trees to bring home.

 

  • 10% discount for supporters.
  • Workshops suitable for adults only – children under 18 years are not permitted to attend.
  • Cafe serving lunch & refreshments.

 

Instructing this workshop

Meet Cormac Griffith, your guide to the traditional skill of orcharding and the seasoned instructor for our “Bench Grafting” workshop at Irish Seed Savers. With almost 20 years of hands-on experience, Cormac has honed his skills as an orchardist, making him a master in the art of cultivating and nurturing apple trees. Cormac served as the Orchard Manager at Irish Seed Savers from 2005 to 2008, contributing significantly to the preservation of heritage apple varieties. Beyond his managerial role, Cormac has dedicated himself to educating enthusiasts in Orchard Management, Grafting, and Pruning through workshops and courses at Irish Seed Savers and An t-Ionad Glas – The Organic College.

Cancellation Policy: As a non-profit social enterprise and registered charity, we kindly ask for your understanding regarding our need for a cancellation policy. Please note that we require a minimum of 14 days’ notice for course cancellations to qualify for a full refund.