Operation orchard will bear fruit for everyone
of the Auchincruive estate. The ground has been ploughed and harrowed ready to sow a wildflower meadow under the fruit trees. A native mixed hedge will be planted around the area to make it a quiet and secluded.
The group has planted 33 apple trees, eight plums, seven pears, 40 raspberry bushes and 16 each of blackcurrant and gooseberry. River Garden is run by the charity Independence from Drugs and Alcohol Scotland ( IFDAS) and is a long term addiction recovery project. Addicts can be in residence for up to three years.
Scottish apple expert John Butterworth has been assisting with advice and Peter MacDonald, a former lecturer in fruit at Auchincruive, has given a workshop on grafting.
A nursery at Stair has provided a selection of varieties that were grown at Auchincruive and Scottish varieties including Scotch Bridget, Galloway Pippin and Bloody Ploughman.
Brogdale Nurseries donated a Hessle Pear, The Conservation Volunteers donated 350 hedging trees, John McNae and Sandy of the Ayrshire Vintage Tractor Club ploughed the ground, while Robin Hay of Hayway joinery harrowed it.
Chris added: “The programme works with the residents providing peer support for each other to change the way they view life and addiction.
“Their long- term recovery happens while they are working to recover the gardens at the famous site, and setting up social enterprises to help make it sustainable.
“Replanting and improving the orchard is a symbolic step in the recovery of the gardens, the first big tangible project that has happened since the community was set up, and will help provide income and food in the future. That it could help us survive the Corona pandemic is very fitting. Psychologically it will be a big boost in morale for residents.”
T h e St a n l e y S m i t h Horticultural Trust funded a lot of the clearance work, while the Sylvia Marshall Bequest Fund funded some of the fruit bushes.
Ultimately the orchard will provide fruit for the residents and make preserves and other products for the cafe.
Chris added: “This will provide food security and financial independence.
“The residents will gain training from horticulture to catering to business. There is no therapy offered at River Garden. Residents recovery from addiction is through peer support, caring for the gardens and building social enterprises.”