Annual fruit tree sale set for Jan. 25

Take Homestead ATL’s fruit tree class, then buy an orchard next week
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January isn’t the season for figs, berries, or even apples, but gardeners know that this is just the time to get those fruit-bearing trees and shrubs in the ground. That’s why you’ll find Atlanta’s BIG fruit tree event, aka the Incredible, Edible Grow-it-Yourself Fruit Tree, Vine & Berry Bush Sale, perfectly timed for Jan. 25.

The annual sale, which is the primary fundraiser for the Atlanta Local Food Initiative, has become a local-food institution since it started six-and-a-half years ago. Organic stock, excellent prices, a good selection, and a great cause make it worth a special trip—this year to North DeKalb Mall, where the sale will be held 12 to 3 p.m.

But don’t go unprepared. Once you take your new fruit tree or vine home, you’ll need to know how to properly plant and care for it. That’s where Homestead Atlanta can help. This Saturday, Jan. 18, Homestead Atlanta is offering a class called Backyard Fruit Forest. The two-hour workshop, held at the Clarkston Community Center, will cover site selection and design, fruit and berry plant selection, tree and vine care, and a planting demonstration. The instructor is Robby Astrove, an Arabia Mountain park ranger who has made a name for himself as Atlanta’s fruit and nut tree education expert.

The class is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested fee of $20. Register here.

Founded in 2005, ALFI works to ensure a thriving network of sustainable farms and gardens in metro Atlanta.

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