NEW! 2023 Organic Fruit Tree Care

King fruit, tree banding, shothole, chill hours, horticultural oil. Huh?

If these terms are unfamiliar, this is the class for you. Whether you're just starting out with fruit trees or want to learn more about your existing fruit trees, this workshop provides great tips from local fruit tree expert Liz Hamilton and from WCG's own Campus Site Manager, Maddie Mariluch, who cares for all the fruit trees at the WCG Campus.

Liz will cover basic fruit tree care topics to include variety selection and chill hours, watering, fertilizing, thinning, and organic pest and disease prevention and management. Maddie will share the specific organic methods and spray schedule that we follow at WCG to care for our wide variety of fruit trees to include pear, Asian pear, apple, plum, pluot, aprium, and nectarine.  We understand that having multiple different kinds of fruit trees can mean a complicated and sometimes overwhelming regimen of product application for the home orchardist, and our experts can lay it all out for you in an easy-to-follow program.

Note that in order to address each of the listed topics in sufficient depth, we do not cover fruit tree pruning in this workshop.  Please see our separate Fruit Tree Pruning class for in depth training on pruning methods, timing, and tools. 

Students in this workshop will receive a comprehensive list of fruit tree care resources and guidance as to how to utilize them. 

This class will be held indoors in our Education Cottage, so class will be held rain or shine.

COVID-19/masks:  As of January 6, 2023, Salt Lake County is at low community COVID-19 transmission levels, during which masks are optional for in-person gatherings in WCG's outdoor spaces.  We invite you to wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk. 

WCG COVID policy states that masks are mandatory in indoor spaces for in-person gatherings when COVID-19 community levels are moderate or high.   If community transmission levels rise to moderate or high prior to this workshop, we will notify you and remind you to please bring a mask to class, as masks will be required.  During registration, you will be asked to read and agree to our COVID safety agreement.  To check your local community level, visit this CDC site.

This workshop is $25.

Discounted rates available to community gardeners with WCG or the WCG Network.

Online pre-registration is required.  No walk-ins.

Please email us immediately at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you find you are unable to attend after you register.

NOTE: We offer reduced-tuition scholarships for low-income individuals.  If you would like to apply, please fill out and submit our scholarship application before continuing the on-line registration process. 

Workshop Instructors:  Liz Hamilton and Maddie Mariluch

Workshop Facilitator:  Marybeth Janerich