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Fruit horticulture

England is a fruit growing nation, from traditional orchards, to popular pick your own fruit farms and an increasing number of nurseries, where soft fruit is grown inside under carefully controlled conditions.

England has a great reputation for producing high quality apples and pears, from famous varieties such as Cox’s Orange Pippin, Bramley cooking apples and Conference pears to new names such as Braeburn and Jazz.

Cherries and plums are also popular. Trees are often covered in netting to protect them from birds, and some are even grown under polytunnels.

Chemical-free pest control

A lot of research has gone into fruit growing, especially chemical-free pest and disease control. Orchards are increasingly managed with nature in mind, with areas left to grow wild to attract bees and other insects that are vital for pollinating the fruit, while nest boxes bring in birds that can feast on potential pests.

Rhubarb is another traditional English fruit. Much is grown in a so-called Rhubarb Triangle in West Yorkshire, where the fruit begins life outside for a year before being brought into forcing sheds to carry on growing. The dark conditions in these sheds give it a sweeter, more delicate flavour.

Most soft fruit, like strawberries and raspberries, are now grown under cover, which has improved its quality and availability. The likes of blueberries, blackberries and blackcurrants are still grown outside and need careful tending.

Picking and packing fruit, often using specialist machinery, is a key job, with new cold storage systems allowing producers to supply fruit all year. In orchards, knowing how and when to prune trees is an important skill.

Click through the graphic below to get a better idea of the typical tasks and responsibilities involved in working with soft fruit production throughout the year.

Get an insight into the realities of working in farming and growing

There are loads of myths around the work around farmers and growers, but a lot of them are based on old stereotypes which are simply no longer true.

Whether it's through the adoption of new technology, the extensive work farmers and growers do to improve the natural environment or the extensive effort they put into ensuring high standards of animal welfare, the truth is agriculture and horticulture is an increasingly modern, sophisticated industry. And it's also one where everyone can play their part.

Find out more if you're ready for an exciting career in this sector by trying our free, short Growing Prospects courses.

Soft fruit farms can be a rewarding workplace where you get to work on some of the nation's most treasured produce.

Soft fruit - High-value crops, a source of national pride

Soft fruits make up more than a fifth of the country's fruit consumption. Find out more about this high-value sector.

Farming and growing employers and recruiters in this sector

The employers and recruiters below hire for roles in this sector. You can suggest businesses to add to this list by clicking the button under the logos.