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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Northern Woodlands
by Carl Demrow
Spring 2006
Northern Woodlands
by Carl Demrow
Spring 2006
As anyone who has ever planted a few apple trees knows all too well, growing apples can be a perplexing and frustrating endeavor. The trouble is that apples are very attractive to many of nature's creatures besides humans. And at least one of these creatures, from deer to apple maggot flies, and from the roundheaded apple tree borer to mice (not to mention the long list of diseases that also affect apples), is sure to be working for its share of the fruit (and in some cases the tree) every day of the year. But if you've ever baked a pie made from your own apples, or pressed a batch of cider from them, the trials and tribulations all seem worth it with that first bite or sip.
Michael Phillips' revised "The Apple Grower" has as much help as you'll find anywhere to get you to that first bite of pie or sip of cider. The previous edition, published in 1998, was the bible for many backyard
About the Author
Michael Phillips is a farmer, writer, researcher, consultant, and speaker who lives with his wife Nancy and daughter Grace on Heartsong Farm in Northumberland, New Hampshire, where they grow apples and a variety of medicinal herbs. Michael and Nancy are also the coauthors of The Herbalist's Way.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By operafan
Format:Paperback
Some interesting information is included. However, it is all a US specific, with no reference to Canadian conditions. Some excellent heirloom apples such as Black Twig or Keepsake are not even listed. A suggestion to cross-country ski in the orchard to prevent meadow voles from running in their tracks is rather silly. The cider making section is a bit vague, but overall it is an interesting reading for a novice.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Apple Grower by Michael Phillips
Feb 22 2006
By Fedco Trees
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
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.
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.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous Resource!
Jan 26 2008
By Lynetta Anne
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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!
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 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good find for apple growers, or potential growers!
July 26 2006
By The Local Farmer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
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.
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Go to Amazon.com to see all 34 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
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