The Fruit Gardener's Bible A Complete Guide to Growing Fruits and Nuts in the Home Garden

by Hill, Lewis; Perry, Leonard

• ISBN13: 9781603425674
• ISBN10: 1603425675
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-11-30
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC

Summary

Fruits, berries, and nuts offer an exciting opportunity for the growing number of food gardeners to expand their homegrown harvest with new produce. The Fruit Gardener'¬"s Bible is the complete reference on every aspect of planting, growing, caring for, and harvesting these nutritious plants. Organic fruits and berries are expensive to buy, making it especially worthwhile to grow them in the home garden. From small fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries to orchard fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and a variety of nuts, backyard gardeners will learn how to choose the best varieties and methods for a healthy harvest. The Fruit Gardener'¬"s Bible focuses on what'¬"s most practical and achievable for small-scale growing and introduces readers to the best organic, nospray methods. From pruning to harvesting and protecting from wildlife, food gardeners will fi nd all the information they need to incorporate fruits and berries into their existing beds and yards. Author and horticulturalist Leonard Perry brings his expertise to The Fruit Gardener'¬"s Bible, incorporating much of the classic work of the late Lewis Hill, long-time nurseryman and bestselling gardening author. The book features allnew photography and step-by-step illustrations. A perfect companion to the best-selling The Vegetable Gardener'¬"s Bible, growers will find The Fruit Gardener'¬"s Bible to be the defi nitive reference for growing delicious, organic fresh fruits at home.

Author Biography

The late Lewis Hill, a beloved and best-selling Storey author, grew more than 20,000 trees on his farm in Greensboro, Vermont. He was also a member of the National Christmas Tree Association and the New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association.

Dr. Leonard Perry is an Extension professor at the University of Vermont.

Table of Contents

Part One: Getting Started with Fruits and Nuts

Chapter 1: Fruits and Nuts in the Home Garden
Including Fruits in Your Yard
Learning to Grow Good Fruit

Chapter 2: What to Grow and Where
Choosing Hardy Fruits
How Much Room Do You Need?
Selecting Plants

Chapter 3: Seasonal Care of Fruits and Nuts
Winter Care
Spring Care
Summer Care
Harvest Time
What to Do with All Your Fruit

Part Two: The Small Fruits: Berries, Bushes, and Brambles

Chapter 4: Strawberries
June-Bearing or Day-Neutral?
Two Ways to Grow
Preparing the Soil
Planting and Care
Harvesting Strawberries

Chapter 5: Raspberries and Blackberries
Getting to Know the Brambles
Plant and Site Selection
Planting and Care
Harvesting Bramble Fruits

Chapter 6: Blueberries
Different Types for Different Regions
Meeting Soil Requirements
Planting and Care
Harvesting Blueberries

Chapter 7: Ribes, Elderberries, and Other Bush Fruits
Getting to Know the Bush Fruits
Planting and Care
Harvesting Bush Fruits
Unusual Bush Fruits

Chapter 8: Grapes for Every Region
Getting to Know Grapes
Choices for Hot and Cold Climates
Grapes Need Support
Planting and Care
Harvesting Grapes
Unusual Vine Fruits

Part Three: Tree Fruits & Nuts

Chapter 9: Apples and Crab Apples
Apples for Every Climate
Standard, Semidwarf, or Dwarf?
Planting and Care
Harvesting and Storing Apples
Choosing Apple Cultivars
Crab Apples for Eating

Chapter 10: Pears
Two Distinct Types of Pears
Planting and Care
Harvesting Pears
Unusual Tree Fruit: Quince

Chapter 11: Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots
Choosy about Climate
Selecting Plants
Planting and Care
Harvesting
Choosing Cultivars

Chapter 12: Plants for Every Region
Lots of Colors, Shapes, and Uses
Climate Considerations
Pollination Matters
Planting and Care
Harvesting Plums
Pluots and Plumcots
Wild Plums

Chapter 13: Cherries, Sweet and Sour
Sweet, Sour, and Bush Cherries
Picky about Pollination
Planting and Care
Harvesting Cherries
Gallery of Unusual Tree Fruits

Chapter 14: Nuts
Getting to Know the Nuts
Planting and Care
Harvesting Nuts

Part Four: Growing Healthy Fruits, Nuts, and Berries

Chapter 15: Improving Your Soil
What Is Soil?
Preparing Soil for Fruiting Plants
Mulches Are Labor-Savers
Make Your Own Compost

Chapter 16: Getting Plants off to a Good Start
Care Starts before Planting
Planting Well Pays Off
Pamper after Planting
Don't Harvest Too Soon

Chapter 17: Pruning: Not Just for Trees
Why Prune?
When to Prune
Pruning Bush Fruits and Grapes
Match Pruning Style to Your Tree
Making the Cuts
Espaliers: Pruning as Art
Reviving Old Trees

Chapter 18: Diseases, Insects, and Other Fruit Problems
Nonchemical Controls
Determining What's Wrong
Physiological Problems of Fruit Plants
Diseases
Insects
Spraying: How, What, and When

Chapter 19: Wildlife Friends and Foes
Preventing Mouse Damage
Rabbits, Porcupines, Raccoons, and Squirrels
Dealing with Deer
Outwitting Birds
Avoiding Other Hazards