Course CodeAHT104Fee CodeS1Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Learn to grow a wide variety of different fruits at home If you have an interest in fruit growing but need the confidence and expertise to start - this course will certainly set you on the right path. Lessons cover a range of fruits and fruit growing techniques. Lesson Structure There are 6 lessons in this course: Introduction An overview of the different types of fruits & nuts: Citrus Berry Fruits Nuts Vines Pome Fruits Stone Fruits Soils, site preparation & planning. Understanding soil nutrition Fertilising fruit & nut plants Managing soil for your fruit & nut plants General Cultural Practices Learning about fruit trees to produce more & better fruit Identifying pests and diseases Watering requirements Pruning Tree Fruits Problem solving issues with fruit trees Fruit trees ideal for your area Nuts and Vines How to grow in selected areas Description of different nut trees and various vines Berries Ideal areas for growing berries Timeline for growing berries Conditions for growing berries What You Will Do Research information you can within reason (eg: leaflets, booklets, details about advisory services etc) which relate to fruit growing in your locality. Select part of a home garden where the owner would like to grow fruit. Consider the good and bad points about the site and the suitability of different types of fruits to the situation. Take a sample of soil from an area you might consider growing fruit in. Using the method set out in the gardening manual provided with the course, name the soil. Look at the buds on the wood of three different species of fruit. Draw what you see, and label where you think the buds are fruit buds, and where you think they are vegetative buds. Observe the way in which fruit trees are trained or pruned in your locality. Visit a local hardware store, nursery or irrigation shop and look at drip and micro irrigation equipment which is for sale. Take note of the various components of these systems, how they fit together and how they work. Identify pests and diseases in a garden which you have visited. Select different fruits from those you have read about which are grown in your area. For each one, research which varieties of that fruit are commonly grown, and why they are grown. Plan the development of a berry growing area for a backyard. Contact companies, visit nurseries and check the availability, quality and prices of berry plants you would like to grow on your site (or proposed site). Work with an imaginary site if you do not have a real life situation to deal with. Why Study Home Fruit Growing? It is a wonderful, healthy, and satisfying experience, to be able to pick and eat fruit from your own garden. This course aims to expand your capacity to do just that! How Do You Decide What To Grow? It is difficult to go wrong provided you do the following: You must have or learn how to grow the fruits you choose to grow. Check and be sure that you can grow each particular crop cheaper than what you might buy the product for. BEWARE: Even though it may seem ridiculous, it is often possible to buy something for less than it might cost you to grow it. Consider the need of alternative crops under consideration and select ones you need most or use most. Consider the crop's keeping quality. Crops which keep for short periods only (e.g. peaches) are more of a risk than ones which keep well (e.g. almonds). Consider the relationship between cost outlay and return. Some crops require large capital outlay before any return can be obtained (e.g. walnuts - property and labour etc. can be tied up for up to 10 years before reasonable crops start to be obtained from the trees). How suitable is that crop to the soil and climate of your area. Consider your own experience and technical ability in relation to the ease of production of the particular crop being considered. Some crops are very difficult to grow; others are easy. If you are inexperienced, start with the easy ones. Consider the time the crop takes to mature and length of production of the particular crop considered (e.g. strawberries can be harvested 6 months after planting if grown correctly. Pear trees take 4 years before you get a worthwhile crop, but will keep bearing for over 100 years). What are your existing resources (e.g. manpower, tools, area available, money etc.) and what crops are these resources suited to. Who Can Benefit From This Course? Hobby farmers Those wanting to live a self sufficient lifestyle The backyard enthusiast Those wanting to set up a fruit garden