Winner of the American Horticulture Society Book Award
"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 Gaia's
Garden
Many people want to grow fruit on a small scale but lack the insight to
be successful orchardists. As The Holistic Orchard 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.
The Holistic Orchard demystifies the basic skills everybody should
know about the orchard ecosystem, focusing on:
- Orchard design
- Soil biology
- Organic health management
- Grafting
- Planting
- Pruning
- Choosing the right varieties for your climate
Includes a step-by-step instructional calendar to guide growers
through the entire orchard year!
Fruit profiles include:
- pome fruits (apples, pears, asian pears, quinces)
- stone fruits (cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums)
- berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries,
currants, and elderberries)
Phillips completely changed the conversation about healthy orcharding
with his first bestselling book, The Apple Grower, and now he takes
that dialogue even further by exploring:
- The connections between home orcharding and permaculture
- The importance of native pollinators
- Plantings with shade-tolerant berry bushes and other insectary plants
- Information on cover crops and biodiversity
- Safe, homegrown solutions to pest and disease challenges
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 The
Holistic Orchard in your hand you have every reason in the world to
confidently plant that very first--or next--fruit tree!
