Fruit Tree and Berry Bush Care Basics

Growing fruit in Edmonton’s challenging climate can be incredibly rewarding—but also a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created our Fruit Tree and Bush Care Basics Workshop, a practical, hands-on class focused on planting, growing, and caring for fruit-bearing bushes and trees in Edmonton.

Whether you’re starting with bare soil or trying to revive a struggling tree, this workshop covers everything you need to grow successfully in Alberta’s cold-hardy Zone 3. You’ll explore an established 30-year-old backyard orchard in central Edmonton that grows apples, pears, plums, sour cherries, grapes, kiwi, haskaps, and more, and learn what really works in our climate, soil, and growing season.

This is a must for anyone planting fruit trees in Edmonton or looking to create a productive, low-maintenance edible landscape. From soil preparation to winter protection, we’ll walk you through how to get it right from the start—and what to do when it’s already gone sideways.

What You’ll Learn

• Edmonton-Proof Fruit Varieties: Not all fruit is created equal. Discover which trees and bushes actually thrive here—like sour cherries, prairie-hardy plums, cold-tolerant grapes, and surprisingly resilient kiwis.
• How to Plant for Success: Learn how soil type, sun exposure, drainage, and spacing affect fruit production. We’ll cover how deep to plant, how to protect roots, and which amendments make sense in Edmonton’s soil.
• Where to Buy Healthy, Hardy Stock: Get insider tips on local sources for fruit trees and berry bushes, including how to avoid overpriced or underperforming plants. We’ll also discuss what to look for when buying bare-root or container-grown stock.
• How to prune for better growth and fruiting: Gain confidence in when, where, and how to prune. Attendees say this was one of the most valuable takeaways they started using right away.
• Caring Through the Seasons: Understand what fruit trees need at each stage of the year—especially how to protect young trees from late frosts, sunscald, and chinooks that confuse dormancy.
• How to recognize and solve common tree problems: Learn how to identify common signs of stress, pests, and disease in Alberta-grown fruit trees. Many participants say this section helped them finally figure out why their tree “just wouldn’t fruit.”
• How to boost productivity in mature or unproductive trees: Whether your tree is underperforming or just mysterious, we’ll walk through real examples and practical steps that work here in Zone 3.
• Simple Propagation Techniques: Get started with propagation methods like layering, using suckers, and grafting. It’s easier than you think—and it could save you hundreds on future trees!Why You Should Attend
• Why small steps can lead to big changes in your orchard: Attendees left inspired and empowered—with several already planting new varieties, shifting pruning schedules, or rethinking what’s possible in small spaces.

Why You Should Attend

You’re not alone if you’ve planted a fruit tree and wondered, “Why isn’t this doing better?”
Our past attendees came with questions about unproductive trees, tangled raspberry bushes, and which varieties would actually work in small yards. They left with clear plans, renewed confidence, and even new plants in hand.

• Make Fewer Mistakes: Learn from decades of hands-on experience growing in Edmonton—not YouTube advice from California.
• Maximize Your Harvest: Knowing what to plant—and how to help it thrive—means better yields and fewer disappointments.
• Support Food Security at Home: Grow fresh fruit for your family, preserve the harvest, and reduce your reliance on grocery stores.
• Start Small, Dream Big: Even if you only have one tree (or one bush!), the knowledge from this workshop scales to a full backyard orchard or a community garden.

Planting fruit trees isn’t just about digging holes—it’s about setting your future harvest up for success. Join our workshop and grow with confidence!

This session is grounded in what works in real Edmonton backyards—not theory, but hands-on guidance that’s already changing how people care for their fruit trees and berry bushes. If you’re looking for practical next steps and a supportive community of fellow growers, this is for you.

Who This Workshop is For

• Homeowners: Want to transform your yard into a fruit-producing oasis? This workshop gives you the skills to start strong and grow with confidence.
• Gardeners: If you’ve mastered vegetables and want to branch into fruit, this is your next step toward long-term yields.
• Permaculture Designers: Learn how to incorporate perennial fruits into your edible landscape in a cold-climate zone.
• Cider and Wine Makers: Discover how to grow the fruit you want to ferment—right in your own backyard.
• Sustainability Advocates: Empower yourself with food resilience skills that support a healthier, greener Edmonton.
• Community Garden Members: Learn how to successfully establish and maintain fruit-bearing trees and bushes in shared plots.
• Educators and Families: A great fit for those looking to teach or experience hands-on gardening and local food knowledge.

By learning what works, and what doesn’t, in Edmonton’s climate, you’ll gain the confidence to grow food that truly thrives. This workshop replaces confusion with clarity and gives you practical tools that work in real-life conditions.

And the impact goes beyond your backyard. Every fruit tree you plant and nurture contributes to a more sustainable, self-reliant, and food-secure Edmonton—one harvest at a time.

Grow your own fruit. Reduce food waste. Share what you harvest.