The Apple Grower: Guide for the Organic Orchardist, 2nd Edition

In (old) England where I live we are losing our orchards, especially small family ones, as the apple trade looks overseas to places with low wages, constant sunshine and scant environmental controls. Michael's book was a relief! As a small grower, I have collected many apple books over the years. Some are purely instructional, some dreamy/inspirational, the ones I like best are both. This is one of that sort. There is a good mixture of basic science simply explained, apple history and culture, storytelling, how-to plant, graft, prune and grow apples and do peripherals like cider, vinegar and preserves plus helpful tips on small scale local marketing. The whole thing is wrapped together with a delightful humanity and a good number of pictures, diagrams and quotes from the literature of the apple. Also many references at the back on the book although these are all American, forgiveable in an American book I suppose. There isn't a British book like this although I would recommend the new "Apples-a field guide" by Michael Clarke for the English grower, ISBN1-873580-57-6. I try to grow apples with as little pesticide as possible but find it impossible to do without. Michael is organic, but does not dismiss growers who feel the need to use some pesticide in the desultory and unhelpful way of some zealots. His philosophy is generous. Anyone who loves the dream of the apple and wants to join in the green conspiracy against the global industry that wants to manage what we eat for maximum profits without regard to taste, heritage or planet should read this.

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.<p>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.<p>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.

A great book on small orchard management. It is especially helpful for a person interested in growing apples for the first time. The book guides you through orchard planning, care, pest control as well as marketing strategies for the small orchardist.

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 it invaluable. The book is a highly authentic testament that packs years of wisdom, written by a "man on the ground" with a generous spirit and a desire to share. Michael Phillips is an apple guy. He is particularly good at revealing the delicate balance between organic approaches to farming and the financial realities of being a farmer. Although the book includes plenty of hard-tack technical information, it is also anecdotal and thoughtful. Great bibliography and resource section at the back of the book.

This is an excellent book for the innovative commercial orchardist or backyard grower. Phillips explains the concepts behind various approaches to pest control and fruit tree management. The sections on marketing are some of the best I've ever seen for any crop.