Backyard Orchard Planning for Healthy Fruit Trees: Practical Methods for Planting, Caring, and Harvesting Success - Paperback

by Mason Whitfield (Author)

Backyard Orchard Planning for Healthy Fruit Trees: Practical Methods for Planting, Caring, and Harvesting Success is an in-depth manual designed to help novice and experienced gardeners cultivate profitable, healthy, and sustainable backyard orchards. This book is full of practical knowledge that will help you choose the right fruit trees, design effective orchard layouts, and grow productive trees for years to come, no matter the size of your land. Sound horticultural concepts, matched with easy-to-follow procedures, will help readers get the confidence to transform ordinary outdoor spaces into flourishing sources of fresh, homegrown fruit.

The book includes all phases of orchard development from site survey, soil preparation, and selection of fruit cultivars adapted to local growing circumstances. It tells you how to plant, water, mulch, prune and care for your plants so that they grow strong and produce lots of fruit. Readers will also find environmentally acceptable methods of controlling weeds, pests and diseases while encouraging healthy ecosystems for long-term orchard development.

The approach stresses intelligent planning and ongoing improvement, in addition to tree care. It covers the best techniques to make the most of the limited space, how to improve pollination, how to improve fruit quality and how to sustain the health of the trees year-round. Practical guidance on harvesting, preserving and enjoying fresh fruit means the benefits of smart planning go far beyond the growing season. The book also offers readers a chance to see orchard gardening as a useful and rewarding pastime that may increase self-sufficiency, help biodiversity and build a greater awareness of nature.