With Author Jade Miles and Graftsman Charlie Showers at ORTO Farm, Blampied.

An exciting event with these wonderful humans! From Black Barn Farm in Stanley, Victoria.

Jade’s recently published book “Future Steading: Live like tomorrow matters” is a truly delicious, salivatingly beautiful book, full of heart and rituals and meaning. Jade will read from her book on the day and Futuresteading will be made available for sale both at the event and prior via the Village Dreaming workshop site.

I am sooooo excited she is joining us.

And grafting!

You know as well as I that it is not easy to find access to a good graftsman, they are rare and rarely available, hence I am also superfragillistically happy to know that Charlie is sharing his grafting skills with us.

Grafting is the technique by which two plants are joined to make one.

It is an extremely rewarding backyard skill to have because it permits even the smallest urban gardens to be furnished with multiple varieties of fruit. Join us on Sunday 22nd of August from 10am to 2pm, tickets are available in the workshop tab.

Day includes:

– Expert hands on tuition from Black Barn Farm orchardist and graftsman Charlie Showers

– Grafting notes

– Tour of ORTO Farm

–  your very own grafted apple tree to take home (choose from 6 heritage and modern apple varieties)

Join us while the moon is waxing and the sap is starting to flow as you learn the ancient art of grafting your very own fruit trees.

Charlie will take you through the different types of grafts, why graft at all, best time of year to graft, knife safety, rootstocks, scion wood and permaculture tips and tricks. You will be taken through a grafting demonstration and of course coaching through plenty of grafting practice before you eventually try your skills on your very own apple trees to take home.

Pocket knives are cool for whittling sharp sticks however they are dangerous and ineffective for grafting (we’ll show you why). Felco Swiss made grafting knives are available for sale at the ticket checkout page for $33.

There will also be some available for sale for $35 on the day and of course feel free to BYO grafting knife.

Tickets have yet to be released.

This workshop is limited to 25 tickets.