Summer Pruning: St Erth Masterclass

The Garden of St Erth
189 Simmons Reef Rd, Blackwood VIC 3458
Sunday 8 February 2026
11am-12.30pm

Developed by French orchardists to keep their fruit trees productive and manageable, summer pruning is an essential technique for Australian gardeners. By pruning in summer, we can easily keep trees to a manageable size and direct their energy into fruit production. Join Diggers Head of Gardens, Julian Blackhirst, in the Espalier Orchard at St Erth to learn the art of summer pruning fruit trees and espaliers. 

What you will learn:

• How to use summer pruning to increase fruit production in your orchard.
• The difference between Winter and Summer pruning methods and their uses. 
• Pruning and training methods for growing espaliers, cordons and free-standing trees.
• How to limit or encourage growth of fruit trees by pruning at different times of year so you can keep your fruit trees at a manageable size.
• The varying pruning requirements of different types of fruit trees.

This Masterclass is designed to teach you everything you need to know to incorporate Summer pruning into your orchard management and reap the benefits of this often overlooked technique.