by Michael Phillips
Softcover:  256 pages
ISBN:  1890132047
Suggested Retail:  $35.00

Our Price:  $28.00

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The Apple Grower
A Guide for the Organic Orchardist

Even in these health-conscious times, with demand for organically grown foods fast increasing, it's still hard to find a good-tasting, locally grown, organic apple. Faced with an impressive rogue's gallery of potential insect pests--curculio, codling moth, and others--most orchard "experts" will tell you flat out that growing apples organically is impossible.

Fortunately, Michael Phillips and growers like him didn't listen. For several years now, Phillips has been "doing the impossible" at Lost Nation Orchard--growing apples successfully using no artificial pesticides or fertilizers. His secret lies in hard work, creative marketing, and a willingness to observe and learn from nature.

The author began his quest with an honest question: "How did our great-grandparents manage to grow good fruit, in the days when everyone was an organic grower, before we sprayed our trees with pesticides and fungicides?" Phillips combines the half-forgotten wisdom of a century ago with the latest scientific knowledge about pests that can plague apples and other tree fruits. The result is a fresh, innovative approach to growing healthy fruit while making the orchard a living, thriving place that is safe for everyone-from microscopic soil life to children playing under trees. Enthusiastic readers will include:

• Commercial orchardists, who will learn about physical and biological controls that they can test themselves.
• Organic farmers and CSA growers, who will find practical growing and marketing advice.
• Backyard gardeners with several fruit trees, who will glean invaluable ideas from the "Home Orchard Sidebars."
• Apple enthusiasts and consumers, who will be fascinated by stories of apple traditions and antique apple varieties.

Filled with in-depth, practical information and infused with a gentle, earth-friendly philosophy, The Apple Grower is sure to be cherished as a classic. It's "an old man's look through a young man's eyes," a guide that attempts nothing less than the rediscovery of Eden.

Michael Phillips, along with Nancy Phillips runs Heartsong Farm Healing Herbs in northern New Hampshire, where they grow and sell medicinal herbs and products they make from healing herbs. Michael writes articles for publications such as Mother Earth News, Growing for Market, and The Natural Farmer. He is also the co-author of The Herbalist's Way.