FOLLOWING a very successful event last year, Down to Earth is organising a fruit tree sale at the Farmers Market on Saturday, February 14.

The aim of this event is to make fruit trees available for under the market price and encourage local fruit growing.

Laszlo Almasi, who is leading this project, said: “A high concentration of fruit trees grown in a local area creates many benefits: offering an alternative to supermarket produce and ensuring an ever-increasing pollination rate that helps secure yields. When more people grow fruit trees, everyone benefits.”

There will be many different varieties of apples available as well as pear, quince, gage, cherry, plum and mirabelle plums along with blackcurrant, redcurrant, whitecurrant, gooseberry and jostaberry shrubs.

They are supplied by Frank P Matthews Nurseries in Worcestershire and all bare-rooted so ideal to plant at this time of the year.

Laszlo Almasi said: "I joined Down to Earth last year and took over co-ordinating the fruit tree sale from my colleague Fred Miller, who initiated this project last year. The idea is to provide local residents with good quality fruit trees at a very affordable price, plus advice and information on tree care. Growing your own fresh fruit even if you only have a patio is a great satisfaction. Also, at Down to Earth Stroud, we promote local food growing and harvesting in the Stroud area. We hope that this event will make it easier for local residents to get started growing their own fruit or extend their existing orchards."

Trees are available for pre-ordering and can be collected either on the day or delivered for a small charge.

For collection at a different time, call us on 01453 700 011 or email laci.almasi@downtoearthstroud.co.uk