Holistic Orcharding with Michael Phillips (DVD)

Publishers Weekly-

The author of the classic guide for small-scale fruit cultivation, The Apple Grower, returns to the orchard. Phillips, who grows apples and herbs in New Hampshire, concedes early on that growing fruit that is both attractive and delicious is more challenging than cultivating vegetables and herbs. What distinguishes this book from other organic guides is the author's ecological approach. He argues that orchard success begins with a deep understanding of soil health and forest-edge ecology. The chemistry lessons may challenge many, but he translates most of the science basics into practical routines that any gardener could use. Straightforward information on selecting trees and horticultural basics such as pruning and pest management follows. For those who intend to invest significant time and resources into growing fruit, this is a comprehensive guide to managing a healthy and bountiful orchard. Color photographs and illustrations throughout.

Booklist Review-

With the rising popularity of farmers’ markets and ever-increasing availability of organic foods in mainstream grocery stores, more and more gardeners are catching the urge to go pesticide-free. For fruit lovers wanting to tend an orchard on a small scale, Phillips, author of the gardening best-seller The Apple Grower, offers a wealth of tips and tricks here on growing berries and tree fruits without resorting to toxic sprays. Eight information-packed chapters cover such basics as orchard design, seeding and growing schedules, and soil varieties, all using natural methods of cooperating with nature to resist attacks by garden pests and plant diseases. Phillips also provides an exhaustive directory of fruit varieties, from pome fruits, such as apples and pears, to stone fruits, such as cherries and nectarines. Although the guide is aimed primarily at home growers with a little yard space and a yen for organic produce, professional orchard managers can certainly benefit and will hopefully be prompted to shy away from pesticides as well. 

Library Journal-

"Phillips, farmer, author, and organic orchardist, guides the viewer through four seasons of his New Hampshire farm, emphasizing techniques for a 'health-based' approach to managing a fruit orchard. His holistic approach not only eschews the use of chemicals and pesticides but also helps to promote biological health and diversity in soil fungi and birds and insects. Phillips demonstrates a variety of practices, from planting, fertilizing, grafting, propagating, pruning, and managing insects to harvesting (including the proper way to pick an apple) and shows how these techniques can be applied in any area of the country. VERDICT: This detailed video with visual how-to instructions will be of interest to horticultural audiences.”