Short Duration Courses
Updated June 12th 2010
Summary of workshops offered
Nut Cultivation and Propagation (new)
Fruit Tree Site Assessment and Planting (new)
Fruit Tree Pruning and Maintenance (new)
Fruit Tree Grafting
Latest News
Please note that all courses and workshops taking place in Westport can now be part or fully paid for by barter using labour or goods.
Please enquire for further information.
Nut Cultivation and Propagation
This practical workshop looks at the propagation and cultivation of cobnuts (domesticated varieties of the common hazelnut) walnuts and Spanish chestnuts. The workshop covers propagation techniques, pollination, choice of cultivars, soil and site choice, and pruning. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to help prune established trees, as well as plant out new trees.
Date: Sunday 7th November
Location: Westport
Price €50.00 (students/unwaged €40.00)
Fruit Tree Site Assessment and Planting
This is a practical, hands-on workshop that covers all the basics of planting fruit trees including site and soil assessment, drainage, soil preparation, shelter, staking, and tree after-care. Detailed information is also provided on fruit cultivars and rootstocks and pollination. As the workshop notes explain, if a tree is going to be producing fruit for the next fifty or one hundred years, it makes sense to invest a small amount of time ensuring the tree gets the best possible start.
Date: Sunday November 14th
Location: Westport
Price €50.00 (students/unwaged €40.00)
Fruit Tree Pruning and Maintenance
This workshop examines the on-going maintenance of fruit trees, including the restoration/rejuvenation of old trees. The workshop covers site management, pruning, feeding, and treatment of diseases, as well as strategies for nursing old trees back into productivity.
Date: Sunday November 28th
Location: Westport
Price €50.00 (students/unwaged €40.00)
Further information
Workshop participants should bring their own lunch and come appropriately dressed for the Irish weather. Hot drinks are provided. Workshops begin at 10am sharp and normally finish between 4 and 4.30pm. In the event of very poor weather the workshops may finish early. All workshops are based in the Westport area. Directions to the venue will be given nearer the time.
Forthcoming workshops in spring 2011
Fruit Tree Grafting
This is a practical, hands-on workshop that covers all the basics of grafting fruit trees. Detailed information is provided on sources and choice of roostock, graftwood selection, choice of cultivars, and tree after-care. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to practice grafting techniques and carry out their own grafts. The afternoon session will be mainly hands-on. Participants will have the opportunity to graft up to ten apple trees, all of which can be taken home to plant in the garden!
Venue: Westport
Dates: This workshop will be held on a number of weekends during March and April 2011
Price €60.00 (students/unwaged €50.00)
Fruit Tree Commerical Grafting
This is a practical, hands-on, fully tutored session for those with some previous grafting experience interested in carrying out paid grafting work. Participants will complete 20-40 grafts under controlled conditions. The completed grafts will be carefully labelled and planted out in the Sustainability Institute trial plot. Take rates will be compared with grafts carried out on the same cultivars at similar dates by Sustainability Institute personnel. Participants achieving take rates within two-thirds of the take rates of the Institute will be offered piece-work employment the following year. A good grafter can easily earn €100.00 a day. Workshop participants will also have the opportunity to take some grafts home.
Venue: Westport
Dates: April 2011 (to be announced)
Price €80.00
Bookings and Payment
Book Now!
It is strongly recommended that places are booked well in advance. However late bookings will be accepted, subject to availability.
A place can only be guaranted once the course fee is received. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis. Cheques should be made payable to the Sustainability Institute and sent to:
Sustainability Institute
Corrig
Sandyhill
Westport
Co. Mayo
Republic of Ireland
Further information
The practical courses/workshops are normally restricted 4-12 participants. We encourage participants to think about reducing the carbon footprint of their own travel to the course venue, and suggest that people willing to car-share contact us so that we can pass on their contact details to other course participants.
Public Transport
Unfortunately, both coach and train services to Westport are very poor. One bit of good news is the introduction of an early morning train service (05.15) out of Westport. This means that it now possible to be back in Dublin by 9.00 in the morning.
Please email us if you require further information:
