February and March are one of our key points in the production cycle of fruit trees, where the varieties are 'budded' onto the rootstocks (which were planted in the field nurseries last Winter). This year we have a team of 30 'budders' which are busy with this task - it's all hands on deck for this peak time of year.

Budding is where a small bud from the chosen variety (like 'Golden Queen' peach) is cut from the 'bud stick' (a pruning from a Golden Queen tree), which is then inserted under the bark of the rootstock. Over the next few weeks and months the bud joins to the rootstock ('callus') and will become a new Golden Queen tree. 

We are currently budding all of our fruit trees (including apples, pears, peaches and citrus), as well as some ornamental trees like Magnolia and Liquidambar. 

Our despatch team are busy sending out stock to garden centres so you will start seeing new product in your local retailers now. Take advantage of the fresh new stock for Autumn planting (see our tips here for how to have success with planting now).