Grow Fruit Naturally

An illustrated guide to planting over thirty fruits using natural methods; with gardening basics; and pruning, pest control, and harvesting tips for each fruit.

Sophie lives in the city and spends her summer in the countryside where she learns all about the fruits that grow there: apples, plums, cherries and all kinds of berries. When Sophie's family moves south, where the weather is warmer, she discovers that different plants and trees grow in her new garden. With the help of her friendly neighbours, Sophie harvests melons, grapes, figs, oranges and pomegranates. At school, Sophie and her classmates learn about tropical fruits and nuts from all over the world -- bananas, coconuts, cashews, pineapples and many more. This is a wonderful book for children to learn about how fruit grows and where. It combines a charming seasonal story with fascinating facts and beautiful, accurate botanical illustrations. It is a superb companion to Gerda Muller's beloved How Does My Garden Grow?

Anyone who observes fruit trees may wonder how or why they behave in specific ways. Some trees grow upright while others have a spreading habit. Some produce many flowers and small immature fruit only to drop most of the fruit later on; others grow more strongly on their sunny side than their shady side. It is common to ascribe such behavior to the tree as a whole and state that trees preferentially "allocate" resources to specific organs. However, this is the wrong approach to understanding tree functioning and behavior. Trees are not in control of what they do. What trees do and how they function is shaped by the individual organs that make up the tree, not by the tree as a whole. The genetic code only indirectly determines the habit, structure and behavior of a tree by defining the behavioral and functional limits of the component organs, tissues and cells. Unlike animals that have a mechanism for collective control of the whole organism - a central nervous system - trees (and plants in general) are more appropriately considered as collections of semi-autonomous organs. These organs are dependent on one another for resources, such as water, energy and nutrients, but control their own destiny. This book presents a clear set of integrative concepts for understanding the overall physiology and growth of temperate deciduous fruit trees. The emphasis is on overarching principles rather than detailed descriptions of tree physiology or differences among the numerous species of fruit trees. Although the focus is on deciduous fruit trees, many aspects apply to evergreen fruit trees and trees that grow naturally in unmanaged situations.

Discusses how to grow fruit trees in a garden or backyard, including such considerations as tree selection, planting and early care, growing fruit in containers, and pest and disease control.

A comprehensive full-colour handbook for growing fruit in cold climates that is aimed at the home gardener. Includes a detailed map and reference guide to zones, hardiness, planting time, and best practices to ensure growth and survival. From pincherries to haskaps, tree fruits to vine fruits, and everything in between, renowned horticulturalist Dr. Bob Bors and master gardener Sara Williams delve into the science of growing and maintaining fruit plants for northern gardeners. Each specific fruit plant is given its own chapter in this beautifully designed reference guide, complete with charts and colour photographs, outlining and describing the plant and its history, planting, care, and any problems (such as insects and disease) that are typically associated with growing it. Gardeners will be able to decide which plants would work best in their own gardens, and harvest the fruits of their success.

Many times, you want to grow some of your favorite foods and you want to have them all year round. You might even have a garden planted, and it might be doing great. But for some, they want to get their food all year round from a garden, and that requires a bit of work. You can grow fruit indoors, but it’s a bit hard for some. However, this book will make that dream of being able to, a reality. It actually can be done in a few simple steps. It takes a bit of preparation for the seeds and such, and it might be best if you take your time and only grow a few things at first, but you can practically grow anything you like with this simple guide to growing fruit indoors, and it’s something that many people need to indulge in. It’s actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it, and if you take plants from outside and bring them in, it’s definitely possible.

“A Way to Garden prods us toward that ineffable place where we feel we belong; it’s a guide to living both in and out of the garden.” —The New York Times Book Review For Margaret Roach, gardening is more than a hobby, it’s a calling. Her unique approach, which she calls “horticultural how-to and woo-woo,” is a blend of vital information you need to memorize and intuitive steps you must simply feel and surrender to. In A Way to Garden, Roach imparts decades of garden wisdom on seasonal gardening, ornamental plants, vegetable gardening, design, gardening for wildlife, organic practices, and much more. She also challenges gardeners to think beyond their garden borders and to consider the ways gardening can enrich the world. Brimming with beautiful photographs of Roach’s own garden, A Way to Garden is practical, inspiring, and a must-have for every passionate gardener.