The Apple Grower

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.

Since the first edition was released in 1998, The Apple Grower has been the definitive guide to growing apples wisely, naturally, and with gentle impact on the earth. Orchardist Michael Phillips continues 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.

Acknowledgments XI
Introduction XIII
Chapter One
Growing Apples Locally 1
Apple Growing a Hundred Years Ago 1
Today's Integrated Pest Management 2
Bringing It All Together 5
Conventional Wisdom 7
The Small Commercial Orchard in Context 11
Chapter Two
The Orchard Site and Its Climate 17
Sacred Slopes 19
The Four Points of the Compass 20
Dry Ground 20
Zone Hardiness 22
Windbreaks 25
Biodiversity in a Fruit Orchard 26
Proximity to Markets 27
Chapter Three
The Enriching of Fruit Lands 31
The Living Soil 32
Compost Forever 37
Soil Amendments 39
Foliar Feeding 44
Biodynamic Teachings 46
Cover Cropping 50
Ponderable Mulch 52
Soil Tests and Leaf Analysis 56
Trace Minerals for Every Tree 59
Chapter Four
The Trees and the Planting 63
Cultivar Selection 63
Rootstocks and Tree Spacing 75
Nursery Sources and Varietal Collectors 82
Grafting and Propagation 85
The Setting of the Trees 90
Orchard Size and Layout 95
High-Density Plantings 99
Down to the Nitty-Gritty 101
Chapter Five
Care of the Orchard 107
Intuitive Pruning 107
Training the Apple Tree 117
Pollination and Fruit Set 123
Frost Protection 128
Thinning the Fruit 130
The Great Grass Debate 133
Mowing Options 137
Summer Care 140
Preparing for Winter 143
Restoring Neglected Orchards 145
Chapter Six
Apple Pests and Diseases 149
The Beginning of Understanding 149
Good-bye, Foliar Pests 152
Insect Identification 152
Bug-by-Bug Profiles 156
Beneficial Insects 178
Good Sanitation 180
Fungal Diseases 181
Other Diseases of the Apple 195
Four-Legged Considerations 199
Chapter Seven
Spraying for Balance 211
The Complexities of Nature 211
All the Answers Aren't Known, but We're Gaining 212
Timing Is Everything 215
The Orchard Calendar 217
Botanicals, Elementals, and Forbidden Fruit 218
Gentler Sprays 228
Spray Equipment for the Small Commercial Orchard 244
Matters of Concern 248
Chapter Eight
Reaping the Harvest 255
When to Pick 255
Harvest Equipment 258
The Apple Picker's Reel 259
Hiring Help 261
Windfalls and Fat Sheep 262
From Orchard to Packing Shed 262
Grading Revisited 264
Cider Making 267
The Juice of the Apple 273
Apple Storage 278
Chapter Nine
Marketing in the Local Economy 281
Getting a Fair Price 283
Apple Economics 285
Niche Marketing 286
Value-Added Products 289
Quality and Appearance 292
Organic Certification 293
Advertising 296
Marketing Innovations 297
Long-Term Vision 303
Chapter Ten
The Last Organic Frontier 307
The Sustainable Orchard 307
Tree Spirit, Community Spirit 312
Organic Perseverance 315
Here We Come a-Wassailing 317
Esopus Spitzenberg and a Better Tomorrow 318
Appendix I Compendium of Orchard Tasks 321
Appendix 2 Apple Grower's Source List 325
Appendix 3 Lost Nation Apple Recipes 330
Appendix 4 Bibliography 331
Index 333