Organic Fruit Production and Viticulture

Description

Fruit production is one of the most challenging areas of organic growing, and those wanting to grow fruit organically have often found it difficult to obtain the necessary technical information. Essential reading for serious gardeners, smallholders, small-scale organic growers and farmers wishing to diversify their crop range, this book covers the organic cultivation of all of the most popular pome and stone fruits, strawberries, cane and bush fruits. A separate wide-ranging chapter, written by Roy Cook, is provided on the important subject of viticulture. For each fruit crop, sound advice and information is provided on the latest suitable varieties and rootstocks, growing systems, pruning and training, crop care, harvesting and storage, and pest and disease management. General aspects of organic production are examined in detail in individual chapters covering organic principles and conversion, soil fertility and crop nutriiton, weed and habitat management, and protected production. The volume also contains an invaluable chapter, which analyses the market for organic fruit, retail opportunities and other important outlets. Written in association with Garden Organic (formerly the Henry Doubleday Research Association)

Stella Cubison, BSc (Hons) Horticulture, is a fruit researcher working for Garden Organic (formerly the Henry Doubleday Research Association), a charitable organization dedicated to research into organic gardening, farming and food. Stella conducts and co-ordinates a variety of fruit-related research activities at Garden Organic. She has worked on several DEFRA-funded projects in the UK, chiefly concerning organic apple and strawberry production, carried out in conjunction with East Malling Research. She has written a number of articles and guides relating to organic fruit growing. Resident - East Sussex