Update

Due to the public health concern caused by the COVID-19 virus, UNH administration made the decision to cancel all UNH Cooperative Extension events, programs and noncredit classes through April 5. The health and safety of our staff and the many members of our New Hampshire communities that participate in our programs is most important. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this uncertain time.

Home gardeners are welcome to send pictures of the trees and/or shrubs you would like to prune to the UNH Extension Infoline. We can mark up the pictures and recommend an approach to pruning. For example, if you have 5 apple trees, we recommend taking a photo of each individual tree to send to them. You can find best practices for getting help from the Infoline here: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/how-get-best-results-unh-extension-infoline

We're also highlighting some resources that go over pruning best practices. Obviously these resources don’t replace the value of the demonstrations, but hopefully they are helpful to you.

Pruning tree fruits: https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/pruning/

Pruning videos: https://video.maine.edu/tag/tagid/pruning

Pruning trees and shrubs: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/basics-pruning-trees-and-shrubs-fact-shee

Pruning deciduous trees: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/pruning-deciduous-trees

Pruning small fruits webinar: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/pruning-small-fruits

We are sorry to not be able to offer our pruning demos this spring, but again I hope these resources are of help to you.

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!

View The Flyer

Pruning Demonstrations

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

Wednesday, March 25 in Barrington: Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

Saturday, March 28 in Merrimack: Apples, Pears, Sour Cherries, Peaches; Mature Highbush Blueberries; Mature & Young Grapevines

Wednesday, April 1 in S. Hampton: Blueberries

Friday, April 3 in Hollis: Mature Grapevines

Saturday, April 4 in Canterbury: Apples

Saturday, April 4 in N. Haverhill: Blueberries

Thursday, April 9 in Belmont: Apples, Blueberries

Saturday, April 11 in Plainfield: Apples, Blueberries

Monday, April 13 in Peterborough: Apples and Cranberries for Wildlife, Peaches, Pears

Wednesday, April 15 in Durham: Blueberries, Raspberries, Grapes

Saturday, April 18 in Albany: Blueberries

Tuesday, April 21 in Hollis: Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

Saturday, April 25 in Stratford: Apples, Blueberries

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.

Friday, April 17 in Tilton

Saturday, April 18 in Goffstown

Do you love learning about stuff like this?

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