Community orchards, or food forests, are plantings of fruit and/or nut trees that are managed by community groups. Some are attached to existing community gardens, some are independent. Below is a list of community orchards and food forests in Kingston.
Lakeside Food Forest
Description: Located within the Lakeside Community Garden, Lakeside Food Forest is a regenerative urban forest garden that welcomes everyone in the community to have fun learning, growing, planting, eating and harvesting together. Instead of annual crops, they’re growing a forest – the type of ecosystem native to most of our region.
This Food Forest’s guiding concept for planting design is a guild – a carefully selected community of species designed to support a fruit or nut tree. In fall 2019 they broke ground, planting 11 apple trees, 2 plums, 2 pears, 2 sour cherries and over 30 shrubs. With supportive guild species they have extended their ecosystem habitats to include a nut grove, eddow (edible meadow) and a wildlife hedgerow bursting with nuts and berries. They host monthly workbees, potlucks and a workshop series so please join them! Visit the website here. $10 for general membership fees.
Location: Lakeside Community Garden at Front Rd & Days Rd (behind Centre 70)
Contact: Joyce Hostyn
Oak Street Food Forest
Description: Located adjacent to the Oak Street Community Garden. Fruits, nuts, and berries from the Oak Street Food Forest can be picked by anyone. It is an inspiring environment full of life where they cultivate food, community and awareness; creating an inclusive, respectful and resilient future for all living organisms. Visit the website. $20 annual fee.
Location: Greenspace where Oak Street bends near the end of Victoria Street
Contact:
Kingston Frontenac Housing Conacher Orchard
Location: 312 Conacher Dr.
Contact: www.littleforests.org Little Forests contact person Nathan Nesdoly
Kingston Frontenac Housing Montreal Orchard
Location: 1060 Montreal St.
Contact: www.littleforests.org Little Forests contact person Nathan Nesdoly