The Holistic Orchard

By: Michael Phillips

Published by Chelsea Green Publishing, 2011-12-23

<b>Winner of the American Horticulture Society Book Award<br></b><br><b>“Phillip’s first-hand knowledge anchors this innovative and highly readable book in practical wisdom that both beginner and long-time fruit growers will find invaluable.”—Toby Hemenway, author of <i>Gaia’s Garden</i></b><br><br>Many people want to grow fruit on a small scale but lack the insight to be successful orchardists. As <i>The Holistic Orchard</i> illustrates, growing tree fruits and berries is something virtually anyone can do. A holistic grower knows that producing fruit is not about manipulating nature but more importantly, fostering nature.<br><b><i><br>The Holistic Orchard</i> demystifies the basic skills everybody should know about the orchard ecosystem, focusing on:<br></b><br><ul><li>Orchard design</li><li>Soil biology</li><li>Organic health management</li><li>Grafting</li><li>Planting</li><li>Pruning</li><li>Choosing the right varieties for your climate</li></ul><b><br>Includes a step-by-step instructional calendar to guide growers through the entire orchard year!</b><br><b><br>Fruit profiles include:<br></b><br><ul><li>pome fruits (apples, pears, asian pears, quinces)</li><li>stone fruits (cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums)</li><li>berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, currants, and elderberries)</li></ul><br>Phillips completely changed the conversation about healthy orcharding with his first bestselling book, <i>The Apple Grower</i>, and now he takes that dialogue even further by exploring:<br><br><br><br><ul><li>The connections between home orcharding and permaculture</li><li>The importance of native pollinators</li><li>Plantings with shade-tolerant berry bushes and other insectary plants</li><li>Information on cover crops and biodiversity</li><li>Safe, homegrown solutions to pest and disease challenges</li></ul><br><br>All along the way, Phillips’ expertise and enthusiasm for healthy growing shines through, as does his ability to put the usual horticultural facts into an integrated ecology perspective. With <i>The Holistic Orchard</i> in your hand you have every reason in the world to confidently plant that very first—or next—fruit tree!