Apple Tree Grafting Workshop Saturday 6th March 2026

Following on from four years of successful apple tree pruning workshops, join us for our new hands-on pear tree grafting training workshop at Amber Valley Vineyards in Wessington, Derbyshire, in March 2026. A short half-day workshop on grafting pear trees with expert guidance from Mel and Dave from The Leicestershire Heritage Apple Project. Whilst the focus is on pears, the grafting techniques taught are equally applicable to apple trees and many other top fruit species.

📅 Date: Saturday, 6th March 2026

⏰ Time: Morning arrive at 10am for a 10.30am start.

📍 Location: Amber Valley Vineyards, Wessington, Derbyshire

👥 For: Local community orchard enthusiasts

🎟 Spaces Limited - Small groups for personalised attention! Max group size 10.

Why Join?

Master the technique of grafting, vital for variety preservation and orchard renewal.

Learn from Mel, a seasoned orchardist, through live demonstration.

Connect with fellow orchard enthusiasts in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside.

Keep your grafted trees.*

Reserve Your Spot!

Book our Pruning Workshop on Saturday 17th January at the same time and save £5.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your orchard skills. Spaces are limited to ensure a quality learning experience. Perfect for anyone involved in local community orchards looking to expand their knowledge and skills. You’re welcome to bring your own pear or apple rootstocks and scion wood to graft your own trees, or to use ours, which we hope will help keep a few Derbyshire varieties going! Do bear in mind that if you use ours you don’t get to take it home!

Aimed at people involved in community orchards interested in keeping local pear and apple varieties going.

We’ll have some tea, coffee and biscuits for arrival. Cider and wine is available to purchase and take-away afterwards too.

£55 per person.

An informative and practical two-hour pear tree grafting workshop led by Mel and Dave, key founder members of LHAP (Leicestershire Heritage Apple Project). With over 20 years of experience under Mel’s belt and 8 years under Dave’s, this workshop is tailored for those new to the art of grafting.

🌱 Understanding the Basics:

Mel and Dave will delve into the fundamentals of grafting, covering the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind this age-old technique. Two proven grafting methods will be explored, followed by a practical session using scrap wood to hone your skills.

🌳 Hands-On Practice:

Gain confidence in grafting as you create your own grafted pear trees during the workshop. This practical experience will equip you with the skills to graft new pear trees, modify existing cultivars, or construct a family tree with multiple cultivars. The same techniques can also be applied to apple trees and many other top fruit species.

📜 Skillset for Life:

Beyond the workshop, you’ll leave with not only a practical skill but also the knowledge to venture into your own grafting projects. Whether you aim to preserve heritage pear varieties, alter your orchard cultivars or create a unique family tree, this workshop provides the foundation for a lifetime of grafting proficiency.

Secure your spot for an insightful session where Mel and Dave guide you through the essential aspects of pear tree grafting . 🌿🍐🍎

*To book both workshops you can book both via either of the Shop pages. Just select the option for both workshops and for the number of people. You can even add a Gift Certificate option too, if you wish to gift a course (or both courses).