Summer Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop with Justin Calverley

Think pruning is just a winter job? Think again.

Join us for a hands-on workshop focused on the care and maintenance of summer deciduous fruit trees. While winter is the traditional time to prune many fruit trees, summer pruning offers real benefits — by early February, harvest is finished for many varieties, making it the ideal time to prune if you want to control the height and size of your trees.

Join Justin Calverley at Farm Viganò to learn how to best care for your fruit trees for both health and size control. The workshop combines the theory of summer pruning with hands-on demonstrations and guided pruning in the orchard, in a small group format that suits beginner to intermediate gardeners, backyard fruit tree owners, and anyone interested in sustainable gardening and food production.

What you’ll learn: identifying tree parts, exploring tree shapes, understanding your tree’s annual cycles, differentiating between fruiting and non-fruiting wood, pruning young trees for shape, and pruning mature trees for fruit production.

What to bring: enclosed, sturdy footwear or boots and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing, a hat, gardening gloves and clean, sharp secateurs, lunch and a water bottle, and pen and paper for notes.

This workshop will proceed regardless of weather.

Event details: Saturday 6 February 2027, 10am–3pm · The Cottage and Orchard, Farm Viganò · $150 per person · Max 15 participants (min 8 to proceed) · No refunds.

Please note the following:

• Wear enclosed sturdy footwear or boots and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing
• Bring gardening gloves and clean, sharp secateurs
• Bring lunch, as well as pen and paper for notes
• Free parking is available on site
• This workshop will proceed regardless of weather conditions ☔

About Justin Calverley

Justin has been running this workshop throughout Melbourne for over 15 years and is widely regarded as one of the leading horticultural educators in the state. He is a fully qualified horticulturist with more than 35 years of industry experience. Alongside his orchard and education work, he operates his own consultation, design and education business, Sensory Gardens.

He is also the author of:

· The Urban Farmer
· The Urban Food Forester

Justin regularly shares his horticultural knowledge through radio appearances on:

· 3RRR Breakfasters
· ABC Radio Melbourne Evenings

His workshops are known for being practical, engaging, and accessible, giving participants confidence to care for and manage their own fruit trees at home 🌳.