There's nothing more satisfying than picking fruit at peak ripeness from your home orchard. With some work and know how, New Hampshire homeowners can grow a wide variety of fruits at home, including dozens of varieties of apples, pears, sour cherries, peaches, blueberries, grapes, and brambles (such as raspberries and blackberries).

One of the most important annual tasks for the home fruit grower is pruning, which UNH Cooperative Extension recommends for the early spring. When pruning isn't done right, year after year, fruit trees and small fruits often produce lower yields with lower quality fruits and are more prone to fungal diseases.

Springtime demonstrations are an opportunity to learn from experts in person and in the field. From the novice home gardeners to experienced fruit growers looking for a refresher, attending a demonstration close to you is an opportunity to network and learn proven, research-based techniques for pruning and grafting. Demonstrations also cover topics including tools, fertility, and pest control.

Demonstrations range from 45 minutes to three hours, and most are donation based. All demonstrations are led by experienced UNH Cooperative Extension field specialists and educators. Find an event near you!

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Pruning Demonstrations

All demos are outside. No pre-registration. Suggested donation is $5.

Saturday, March 23 in Canterbury: Mature Apple Trees

Saturday, March 30 in Merrimack: Apples, Pears, Sour Cherries. Peaches; Highbush Blueberries; Grapevines

Wednesday, April 3 in Fremont: Blueberries

Friday, April 5 in Hollis: Grapevines

Tuesday, April 9 in Bath: Apples, Pears

Wednesday, April 10 in Durham: Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Grapevines

Wednesday, April 10 in Concord: Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

Wednesday, April 10 in Sanbornton: Blueberries, Raspberries

Saturday, April 13 in Hooksett: Training Young Tree Fruit; Blueberries, Raspberries, Grapevines

Saturday, April 13 in Eaton Center: Blueberries, Raspberries

Monday, April 15 in Peterborough: Apples and Crabapples for Wildlife; Peaches, Pears

Saturday, April 20 in Plainfield: Blueberries, Raspberries, Apples

Saturday, April 27 in Durham: Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

Saturday, April 27 in Lancaster: Blueberries, Raspberries

Tree Fruit Grafting Workshops

These hands-on workshops are fee-based and require pre-registration. Each participant will go home with two grafted apple trees. $25 per person or $40 per couple.

Saturday, April 20 in Tuftonboro

Tuesday, April 23 in Goffstown

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