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The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist

The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist
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The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist

 
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925387

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For decades fruit growers have sprayed their trees with toxic chemicals in an attempt to control a range of insect and fungal pests. Yet it is possible to grow apples responsibly, by applying the intuitive knowledge of our great-grandparents with the fruits of modern scientific research and innovation.
Since The Apple Grower first appeared in 1998, orchardist Michael Phillips has continued his research with apples, which have been called "organic's final frontier." In this new edition of his widely acclaimed work, Phillips delves even deeper into the mysteries of growing good fruit with minimal inputs. Some of the cuttingedge topics he explores include:
  • The use of kaolin clay as an effective strategy against curculio and borers, as well as its limitations

  • Creating a diverse, healthy orchard ecosystem through understory management of plants, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms

  • How to make a small apple business viable by focusing on heritage and regional varieties, value-added products, and the "community orchard" model

  • The author's personal voice and clear-eyed advice have already made The Apple Grower a classic among small-scale growers and home orchardists. In fact, anyone serious about succeeding with apples needs to have this updated edition on their bookshelf.

     
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    Product Details
    Author:Michael Phillips
    Paperback:360 pages
    Publisher:Chelsea Green
    Publication Date:2005-10
    Language:English
    ISBN:1931498911
    Product Length:9.88 inches
    Product Width:7.98 inches
    Product Height:0.71 inches
    Product Weight:1.88 pounds
    Package Length:9.7 inches
    Package Width:8.0 inches
    Package Height:0.9 inches
    Package Weight:1.9 pounds
    Average Customer Rating: based on 28 reviews

    Customer Reviews
    Average Customer Review:5.0 ( 28 customer reviews )
    Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

    Most Helpful Customer Reviews

    44 of 46 found the following review helpful:


    5The Apple Grower by Michael Phillips  Feb 22, 2006 By Fedco Trees
    The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist

    by Michael Phillips, 320 pages, 8x10, softcover, 2nd

    edition. Whether you consider yourself to be a novice

    or an experienced orchardist, if you want to grow

    apples organically, this is the book for you. For many

    decades apples were high in toxic residues, but

    thankfully, that is finally changing. A great deal of

    research is underway on lessening the use of synthetic

    poisons in the orchard. The results in the past few

    years are heartening. Since The Apple Grower first

    appeared seven years ago two important products for

    the organic orchardist, Surround and Entrust, have

    become available. It is now quite possible to grow

    very decent apples organically. This revised and

    expanded version includes apple growing basics from A

    to Z, as well as the latest research and strategies

    for successful organic orcharding. A lot of us have

    been begging Michael to update his book and we're

    thrilled with the result. He has read the studies,

    done the interviews, tested the products and found an

    effective way a way to organize the information and

    communicate it to the rest of us. Even if you already

    have the first edition, you still need this

    substantial revision.

    23 of 23 found the following review helpful:


    5Fabulous Resource!  Jan 26, 2008 By Lynetta Anne "lynettaann"
    I LOVE this book.

    I'm particularly impressed with the density of information: too many hobby farm/small farm books take a once-over-lightly approach, but this one is deep on detail. I also appreciate the discussion of seedling trees: typically I've seen them ignored or dismissed as irrelevant. The discussion of root stock is a help too; before this I've seen it only discussed in terms of it's limiting factor on size, but this also introduces issues of hardiness and climate appropriateness. The book is incredibly thorough while reminding the reader that there are no "cook books" to growing organic orchards, it's still an art and science that is being developed.

    I spent the first few years of my life on an old-fashioned orchard and have never recovered. Now, after 30 big-city, corporate years the world is circling back to the kind of orchard I've always longed to have, and this book is filled with invaluable information on how to proceed. Next year I'm headed back to the country, this book in hand, to make a home and create a backyard cider orchard. I know it's hard work and the best of it may happen after I'm gone, but this book gives me the courage to begin and information to guide me as I figure it out.

    I hope within 5 - 10 years I'll be toasting the author with my own apple cider!

    14 of 15 found the following review helpful:


    5Good find for apple growers, or potential growers!  Jul 26, 2006 By The Local Farmer "Tim"
    I think this a very well written, well laid out book that could help you get started in the apple orchard business. The thing that I find most interesting about this book is that you don't need to be dedicated to organic methods to learn an enormous amount from this book. It is full of general information to aid in the whole process of growing apples.

    8 of 8 found the following review helpful:


    5Love it!  Jul 12, 2007 By Debbie Beckwith
    I have only read the first few chapters, (and have browsed ahead), but so far it's great! They really go into detail about how apple trees grow.
    It reads a little like a textbook, but not too dry. We have 9 apple trees in Mid-Missouri and are hoping to expand and improve in the future. I think this book will be a big help. If you just have a couple trees in your yard and just want to know how to prevent disease, repel bugs, or what fertilizer to use, this book may be a little more in-depth than what you're looking for. No doubt you would find useful information here, but it may be a little more detail than you needed.

    7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


    5A Must for all Apple Growers  Mar 12, 2007 By Sheila L. Garrett "teacher"
    I've heard about this book for several years and it is truly a must read, everything I was led to anticipate. It is loaded with facts and experiential info. It's also fun to read. Don't be intimidated by how much info there is. Just use it and keep going back into it as you get more familiar with Michael's approach. I teach at The Meeting School, a little Quaker farm school in southern NH. I'm definitely using this book with my students from here on in. Happy orcharding.

    See all 28 customer reviews on Amazon.com
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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