To celebrate Orchard Blossom Day on April 26th, Irish Seed Savers and Ruth Wilson, Farmland Pollinator Officer, National Biodiversity Data Centre, will launch The How-to-Guide: Traditional Orchards and Fruit Trees for Pollinators on the Farm.
The event will take place this Friday at Irish Seed Savers, Capparoe, Scariff at midday.
The guide, developed by Irish Seed Savers and the National Biodiversity Data Centre All Ireland Pollinator Plan, was created to provide information on how to create and manage traditional orchards and fruit trees for pollinators on the farm, garden or other areas of land.
It provides information on how to choose the right planting site, variety, and fruit tree type, plus tips on how to encourage pollinators to your orchard, what pollinators you can expect to see in your orchard and which natural predators to encourage, as they can help prevent damage to the crop, by managing pests.
Elaine Bradley, Irish Seed Savers Executive Director says: “This comprehensive resource equips farmers, gardeners, and landowners with the knowledge and tools to create vibrant habitats that support pollinators. From selecting the perfect site and tree varieties to fostering a welcoming environment for pollinators and beneficial predators, this guide is a roadmap to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.”
Orchard Blossom Day is the ideal date in the calendar for the How to Guide Launch as we celebrate the flowering meadows, delicacies, cultural heritage and the diversity of apples across Europe.
Irish Seed Savers Association is an environmental organization and social enterprise. The organisations mission is to conserve, protect and utilize Ireland’s diverse genetic food crop heritage, safeguarding food crop biodiversity for present and future generations and to educate in the sustainable and ethical use of these precious resources. Since its establishment in 1991, the organisation has been at the forefront of seed and Irish heritage apple tree conservation.