By Alesha Capone
If you’re feeling like it is time to branch out in the garden, head along to this week’s Heritage Fruit Tree Festival at Werribee Park Farm.
The orchard, which dates back to the 1870s, was once renowned for its peaches, grapes, apples, quinces, pears, plums and several other fruits, as well as walnuts and olives.
But as the years went by, the orchard was forgotten and fell into a neglected state. However, in 2010 a community group was formed to restore the orchard to its former glory.
For the past seven years, the Werribee Park Heritage Orchard organising committee has been running grafting day events at the site. This year will be the first they have expanded into a festival, with the slogan “Australia’s largest grafting event”.
The Heritage Fruit Tree Festival, to be held Sunday, July 28 from 10am to 3pm, will include rare and heritage fruit trees for sale from $15, grafting demonstrations and grafts to buy.
There will also be food, wine and coffee on sale – bring your own reusable cup – market stalls including makers demonstrations, talks and tours of the orchard; live folk music with The Angelicats playing from 10.30am; and a face-painter.
The festival is a free community event with parking available for a gold coin donation. Enter via Gate 5, K Road, Werribee South.
Details: werribeeparkheritageorchard.org.au or www.facebook.com/werribeeparkheritageorchard
