Author | Lightnews

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 4d

As we near All Hallows Eve, our Welsh project manager Witchhazel writes about finding solace in the healing power of rituals that reflect the season.
wildwoodedge.wales/2025/10/30/m...

Meeting my Ancestors in the Orchard

Night comes early and I step out into the dusky chill. Wispy clouds scud across the moon and an owl calls. The dark silhouette of the ash tree reaches down to touch my hair as I pass. This Samhain…

wildwoodedge.wales

3

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 7d

We love leaf mould! 🍂 But what is it? How do you make it? And why should you use it?

We have a detailed guide on how to make the best possible leaf mould on our website 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/guides_and_a...

#CommunityOrchards #CommunityGardening #GardeningAdvice #LeafMould #Composting

2

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 11d

Crab apples are great - often unfairly maligned for no good reason!

1

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 12d

Have you heard of 'quiet activism?' Our CEO Kath Rosen explains what this means to her, and how she keeps motivated when times get tough in our latest blog: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/the-qui...

#CommunityOrchards #QuietActivism

The quiet activism of community orchards - The Orchard Project

CEO Kath Rosen talks about the rise of 'quiet activism' and how we can all make a difference where we live through community orchards.

www.theorchardproject.org.uk

2 4

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 13d

What's the future for UK orchards? We helped to create this extensive report into the challenges for the industry and what can be done to ensure a brighter future: www.forumforthefuture.org/the-future-o...

#AppleDay #CommunityOrchards

The Future of UK Orchard Fruit

This new report tells the story of the future of UK fruit through the work and images of those innovating and driving momentum for a thriving and resilient sector.

www.forumforthefuture.org

1 3 9

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 13d

So glad you came along - it was a fabulous event 😊

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 14d

What a super photograph, thank you for joining us 🍎

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 16d

Thanks to everyone for bringing such amazing energy and enthusiasm along to our London Orchard Summit today!

1 12

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 17d

In #London? Love everything to do with #orchards? We have just a few tickets left for this fabulous event happening tomorrow (Sat 18 Oct): Community Orchard Summit London

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-...

Community Orchard Summit London

A gathering of orchardists, growers & changemakers, coming together to learn, share and reimagine thriving community spaces.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

3 5

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · 28d

Stag beetles are incredible insects, and we love these gentle giants. But sadly their numbers are falling. To help this legally protected, priority species, London Project Manager, Lizzy, created this amazing loggery at Mayow Park. #WorldHabitatDay

#CommunityOrchards #StagBeetle #UKBiodiversity

Mayow Park Stag Beetle Loggery. Around 20 upright logs partly buried in the ground together with a sign describing what a stag beetle loggery is and why it is important. Trees, bushes and a carpet of ivy surrounds the loggery.

1 2

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Sep 25

Looking to boost your chances of gaining employment as an orchardist?

Our new Consultant Development Programme (CDP) has been developed to equip trainees with the skills and resources required to work as freelance orchard consultants.

www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/new-orc...

1

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Sep 18

Fancy turning apple pulp into nutritious soil improver? Read our latest blog about how to make your own #bokashi: www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/bokashi...

#CommunityOrchards #Composting

2 8

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Sep 16

Looking to reconnect with your colleagues in a beautiful urban setting? 🍎

Our #OrchardEscapes might be just what your team needs! We offer a fun, rewarding day out in nature, supporting the local community and wildlife - lght.ly/pfj961

#CommunityOrchards #TeamBuilding

📷 Cal Holland

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Sep 1

3. Seed 🌽 Switch your seeds to organic varieties. There is so much to choose from - you may even find a new favourite.

1

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Sep 1

2. Soil 🌱 You need to nurture your soil, a simple way to make sure your plants grow strong and healthy is to enrich your soil with an organic, peat free compost or some manure.

1

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Sep 1

Top three tips:
1. Sun ☀️ You need plenty of sunshine for vegetables, so find a spot that gets at least six hours a day.

#ChooseOrganic #OrganicSeptember #OrganicGrowing #CommunityOrchards #CommunityGardening #ForestGardening #GrowYourOwn #SoilAssociation

1

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Sep 1

Pinch punch it’s #OrganicSeptember!

Our friends at the @thesoilassociation.bsky.social run this annual campaign to highlight the benefits of organic production. Choosing to buy and grow organic produce can make a positive impact on your health and the environment.

Top organic growing tips below 👇

Overhead shot of a heart shaped basket containing purple spuds being held by a child in a purple jumper standing on green grass.

1

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Aug 18

Love cider? 🍻 Then you'll not want to miss our latest blog, where we catch up with Jez Taylor, head of market garden at Daylesford Organic, one of our amazing corporate partners.
He shares how he got into cider making, his lifelong passion for apples & their many uses 👉 lght.ly/ibj34n6 #CiderMaking

Varieties of stored apples (Fiesta and Sunset) on wooden racking.

5

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Aug 13

We love a good news story, particularly ones that feature fruit trees! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Battersea grapefruit tree given protected status

A rare grapefruit tree in Battersea is granted additional protection following a campaign.

www.bbc.co.uk

1

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Aug 13

Fancy the chance to win a gift voucher from Hetty's Herbs & Plants 🌱 by completing our supporter survey?

We'd love to hear more about why you support The Orchard Project and what to you'd like to see more of. Please submit your response by 31 Aug 👉 survey.alchemer.com/s3/8406808/T...

📷 Simon Lee

1 1

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Aug 12

Couldn't agree more 😊

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Aug 8

We recently had the pleasure of catching up with Niru, who completed our Award in Forest Gardening and transformed a small garden for Sufra (a food bank & advice centre in NW London) into an edible garden.

You can read her story here - www.theorchardproject.org.uk/stories/niru/

#CommunityOrchards

Portrait of Niru sat on a large rock set amongst green grasses and trees. A graphic features the quote "I’m now able to go somewhere and say, ‘I know what this space needs’ - that’s the sort of depth of knowledge and confidence that The Orchard Project gave me".

1 1 3

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Jul 24

This cherry tree was snapped 3yrs ago. Here's the fix:
Pack crushed garlic over wound, held with woven bandage. Remove bandage & garlic paste after 2-3 days.
Splint break together with hessian bandage. Remove bandage after 5-6 wks
Place a mini sports cone on the trunk above wound to keep rain off

2 9

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Jul 10

🌱 This is what resilience looks like! A winter storm cracked a branch of this damson tree.

When it came to summer pruning this week, a tiny new shoot was spotted just below the damaged branch, complete with two damsons attached 💚

#CommunityOrchards #Damson

4

The Orchard Project @theorchardproject.bsky.social · Jul 10

Take a restful five minutes to read about what our students discovered on a trip to Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley 👉 www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/rhs-wis... There is a top tip for those who like to grow peaches 🍑

#RHSWisley #CommunityOrchards #HorticultureCourses #ArboricultureCourses

5