Welcome to WOT2Grow

We are a Community Orchard located in Tysoe, Warwickshire, run for the benefit of members living in the villages of Tysoe, Oxhill, Whatcote and the surrounding communities.

This website contains details of our progress since we started in April 2011. 

Initially we received grants from the Big Lottery's Local Food scheme. These were followed in 2016 from the National Lottery's Awards for All programme. This grant has enabled us to build raised beds and plant blueberries under the orchard's Juicy Fruit initiative. We receive support from local groups including the Tysoe Flower Show and our members volunteer over 500 hours a year to maintain this pleasant open space.

About the Community Orchard

The orchard is off Shenington Road in Tysoe and is for the benefit of residents of Whatcote, Oxhill and Tysoe and will be owned by those residents who become members of the Community Interest Company, WOT2Grow Community Orchard CIC, but for everyone to be involved with and enjoy.

The orchard covering two acres has soft fruit - raspberries, blackcurrants, red and white currants, gooseberries and blueberries - 20 varieties of apples, 3 varieties of pears, 4 varieties of plums as well as damsons. There are also apricot, nectarine, peach and nut trees. Some cider apples and perry pears have also been planted. Members will have the benefit of fresh fruit from June until December.

There is a strong sustainable and environmental focus in the management of the orchard. Natural biodiversity is encouraged and beehives have been introduced. Trees, bushes and canes will not be treated with any synthetic plant protection products or fertilisers. Pests and diseases are controlled by natural means and by in-built plant resistance.

Dates for your diary

Membership details

Membership

The orchard is off the Shenington Road, behind the allotments.  It is for the benefit of residents of Whatcote, Oxhill and Tysoe and is owned by those residents who become members of the Community Interest Company, WOT2Grow Community Orchard CIC, but is for everyone to be involved with and enjoy.

The orchard covering two acres has soft fruit - raspberries, blackcurrants, red and white currants, gooseberries and blueberries - 20 varieties of apples, 3 varieties of pears, 4 varieties of plums as well as damsons. There are also apricot, nectarine, peach and nut trees. Some cider apples and perry pears have also been planted. Members will have the benefit of fresh fruit from June until December.

There is a strong sustainable and environmental focus in the management of the orchard. Natural biodiversity is encouraged and beehives have been introduced. Trees, bushes and canes will not be treated with any synthetic plant protection products or fertilisers. Pests and diseases are controlled by natural means and by in-built plant resistance.

Each individual member pays a joining fee, which entitles them to vote on how the orchard is run and managed, as well as a yearly orchard maintenance fee (OMF).  

These are reviewed annually by the CIC members at the AGM.  It has been agreed that until March 2025 new members will only be asked to pay the membership (joining) fee and the OMF will be waived.

Orchard maintenance

Orchard maintenance and fruit picking is carried out by its members, usually on a weekly basis. An email is sent out to all members informing them of dates and times.   Examples of work needing to be done is planting, mulching, pruning, fruit thinning and harvesting and mowing.

There is usually a weekly session at the Orchard to carry out the work required to keep the trees and soft fruit in good condition.  This includes, amongst other tasks, planting, weeding, pruning and watering.  

Plus, through the summer and autumn months the fruit needs to be picked.  An email is sent out to all members informing them of dates and times of these sessions.  All members are very welcome at any of the sessions and shown, if necessary, how to do something, including if they are interested, bee keeping.  The bees are looked after by a team of enthusiastic members.  No-one is left on their own, this is a team effort.  It’s meant to be interesting and enjoyable and not a chore.  

Orchard output

At present the fruit is distributed on a request basis with all members receiving, as much as possible, a fair share. A record is kept of all fruit picked. Those who attend the sessions can take home a bonus amount after members’ requests are fulfilled. 

The amount of fruit available is entirely dependent on such things as weather and yield and the number of members able to attend picking/maintenance sessions.  

Surplus production is donated to the Tysoe Lunch Club, the local Care Homes and schools.

We warmly welcome new members - if you would like to speak to the Membership Team, please do get in touch.