Storey's guide to growing organic orchard fruits Market or home production, site & crop selection, planting, care & harvesting, business basics

Anyone who has ever tended a backyard apple or pear tree is familiar with the challenges of keeping the fruit protected from marauding bugs and parasites. When the goal is producing an organically grown crop untainted by pesticides, the orchard caretaker's task becomes even more daunting. Although the target audience for this comprehensive manual to cultivating an organic orchard is commercial growers, home-based fruit aficionados can benefit as well. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of organic farming methods as a horticulture professor at the University of Idaho, Barney covers all the basics of orchard planning, maintenance, and harvesting, from orchard design and preparation to nutrient management and pruning techniques. Barney addresses special considerations and growing tips for every variety of pome and stone-fruit crop. A helpful appendix section also provides sample planning and production-year calendars. With a growing population of health-conscious consumers looking for alternatives to pesticide-treated and genetically modified produce, Barney's encyclopedic guide will give fruit growers both expert supervision and a strong incentive for committing to organic orchard cultivation.--Hays, Carl Copyright 2010 Booklist