The Apple Grower - A Guide for the Organic Orchardist, Second Edition
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. Chelsea Green Publishing. 320 pages.
Some of the cutting edge 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
"Michael Phillips bridges the small but precarious chasm between organic and IPM apple growing. This book is full of facts, lore, and a lot of heart and soul." ?Chuch Souther, Apple Hill Farm, Concord, New Hampshire
Michael Phillips is a farmer, writer, carpenter, orchard consultant, and speaker who lives with his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Grace, on Heartsong Farm in northern new Hampshire, where they grow apples and a variety of medicinal herbs. Michael authored The Apple Grower (Chelsea Green 2005) and teamed up with Nancy to write The Herbalist's Way (Chelsea Green 2005). His Lost Nation Orchard is part of a diversified mountain farm in northern New Hampshire, and he also leads the community orchard movement at www.GrowOrganicApples.com.