The demand for high-quality, organically grown food is skyrocketing with people's gradual understanding of the health risks and dangers of chemical pesticides and "industrialized" farming, yet good organic apples are still hard to find in many places. Phillips has employed hard work and keen observation of nature to make the best use of our great-grandparents' experiences and techniques. He then examines the latest scientific knowledge of apple pests and their life cycles to produce a thorough guide to growing wonderful, delicious varieties of apples in an orchard that is safe for animals, birds, and children playing under its tree branches. Each chapter has practical advice for the backyard fruit grower, and while this book is filled with useful facts and tactics, Phillips also adds a gentle, Earth-friendly, philosophical writing style that makes for quite an enjoyable read.

From Booklist

Now that organically grown foods are the latest culinary craze, the time has come for the organic orchardist. Phillips, who grows apples without artificial pesticides or fertilizers in Northumberland, New Hampshire, provides instructions on growing and marketing. Selecting the right site (weather, soil, drainage, and proximity to markets are considerations) and understanding the role of micro-organisms are top priorities, he insists. Phillips gives instructions on planting, pruning, and training the trees, and on protection from frost. There are chapters on pests and diseases, organic spraying, harvesting, and marketing. Interspersed throughout the text are tips for backyard fruit growers, a bit of earth-friendly philosophy (Phillips' style of writing is best described as cornball), and lots of black-and-white photographs and illustrations. A valuable basic guide for novice backyard and commercial apple growers. George Cohen

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6 Reviews

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4.5 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An easy reading, practical guide to orcharding, Mar 28 1999

S. Brown "s_brown" (Potsdam, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist (Paperback)

The Apple Grower is, foremost, a guide to orcharding. It is not, and is not sold as, a how-to manual. Phillips clearly explains his experiences with organic orcharding and offers innumerable tips on managing, marketing, and maintaining an organic orchard. He covers the topics in a nicely organized and logical manner -- from selecting land for the orchard, to planting, care, and marketing of the product. At first, I lamented the lack of very specific and concise how-to information. However, as you read the book as a whole, you realize that you are learning far more than a simple how-to book. Phillips becomes almost an experienced mentor and gives real insight into why things work and the ramifications of practical actions. Phillips makes it clear that there will be bad times and that organic orcharding requires work. The rewards, however, are clear.

Phillips has a very engaging writing style and uses relavant anecdotes to underscore important points. The Story of Babs (pp148-149), one of the mini-anecdotes sprinkled throughout the book, is one of the funniest short stories I have read in quite a while.

In all, this is a good practical guide written by an experienced orchardist.

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3.0 out of 5 stars A great resource, Oct 4 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist (Paperback)

I could not put the book down. It reads more like a conversation between friends than a step-by-step how to. The author is present several schools of thought on organic farming and encourages others to try different approaches. A goldmine of information, it is comprehensive in its treatment of the organic apple growing. I highly recommend it to any one interested in raising apple trees for fun or profit.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A rare gardening book imparting as much wisdom as fact, April 21 2002

Scott Smith (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist (Paperback)

Most gardening books tend to be fairly dry, with step-by-step instructions, lots of tables, etc. This book is the opposite. This book reads like a long story told by the fire which happens to be about serious apple orcharding. And maybe a bit like a sermon, but I mean that in a good way, not preachy. Those with wisdom should impart it. After reading so many impersonal gardening books, this one is a breath of fresh air and reminds me why I love gardening.

Even though the book is not facts-in-your-face, it does impart an incredible amount of information. But, you need to re-read since the information you need may be buried in that story somewhere. There are a couple places where more tables and diagrams could have helped. The chapter on pest and disease control for instance could have used a problem --> solution kind of table. This chapter also was over my head in spots, almost like he switched to telling his story to another seasoned organic orchardist and not a beginner like me.

The book really does impart wisdom about orcharding. Stories can contain subtle shades of grey you just can't cram into a table. Mistakes will happen, but after reading this book they won't seem quite so painful. In that sense it is invaluable.

The book is more directed at the commercial organic orchardist, and I am a home orchadist. At first I was a little annoyed at having to read about the commercial aspects, but after awhile the story got so good that I was enjoying those parts just as much as the stuff I needed to know. Also, he does direct some comments at the home orchardist. I expect I will be re-reading this book many times over the years.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Apple Grower
A great book on small orchard management. It is especially helpful for a person interested in growing apples for the first time. Read more

Published on May 1 2000 by Keith Halterman

5.0 out of 5 stars Very practical and a thoroughly enjoyable read
As a budding backyard orchardist, I found this book to be very practical and a thoroughly enjoyable read - although I hasten to add that family farm commercial growers should find... Read more

Published on Jan 8 2000 by J. R. Mott