Orchard Stewards

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This opportunity will begin in August, with the first training session on August 13th at 10 a.m. There is a small cost for the training ($45) with financial aid available if you need it. One year committment required.

We are seeking about 12 people to become orchard stewards at an heirloom orchard in South Bellevue. The tree fruit from this orchard contributes to the more than one ton of fresh produce Orchard Gardens provides to hungry people in the local area. We also plan and hold community apple cider pressing events in the fall - open to all!

The orchard is located at Orchard Gardens at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in South Bellevue at 4315 129th Pl. SE, Bellevue WA 98006.

We are partnering with City Fruit ( cityfruit.org ) to bring some substantive training to a select group of folks who would like to deepen their knowledge of fruit tree care and become orchard stewards for this heirloom orchard.

We are looking for a dozen folks who would coordinate the monthly care of the trees with neighborhood volunteers.

Here is an overview of what the trees generally need over the year:

January - winter pruning
February - winter pruning
March - winter pruning, begin to watch for blossoms, pollinators, insects
April - continue to monitor conditions
May - pest prevention
June - monitor whether trees need water thru the summer, insect prevention, some fruit thinning
July - apple and plum picking, orchard hygiene
August - fruit picking, orchard hygiene, summer pruning
September - cider event, fruit picking, orchard hygiene
October - fruit picking, orchard hygiene
November - final orchard hygiene prior to dormant period
December - rest

The first training would take place on Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. right at the orchard and would cover the basics of fruit trees. Future trainings would include pruning and pest management. There would be a nominal cost for the training for our orchard stewards ($45 for the 3 sessions with scholarships available) with Orchard Gardens picking up the lion's share of the cost.