The Home Orchard: Growing Your Own Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees

Developed especially for backyard orchardists, rare fruit growers, and small-scale growers, The Home Orchard offers an insiders look at both standard growing methods and unique innovative practices.
You will learn how trees grow, which species grow best in the different regions and soils, varieties from which to select, preparing the soil, planting, watering and fertilizing, pruning and grafting, thinning the fruit, diagnosing problems, controlling pests, and harvesting.
You'll also find special attention given to organic and non-toxic pest management and fertilization methods. Key pests and diseases are identified and natural control methods are emphasized.
Irrigation methods for the backyard grower are discussed and the difficult task of how often and how much water to apply is simplified. The focus is on giving the trees enough water but doing so in an efficient, water-saving manner.
Included are hundreds of photographs and diagrams that show clearly how to produce the best crops. Photos of several practices, such as key budding and grafting methods, are depicted in step-by-step photos. No other publication provides this breadth and depth of coverage.