Type: Manuals/Guides

Soils and Sites for Organic Orchards and Vineyards

The perennial nature of fruiting trees, bushes, and vines allows for a more permanent, sustainable agriculture based on healthy soil. This publication discusses site selection and soil preparation for fruit plantings. It also describes cover crop and mulching options for orchards and vineyard floors. The publication discusses fertilization and the role of mycorrhizae in maintaining… Continue reading Soils and Sites for Organic Orchards and Vineyards

Tree Fruits: Organic Production Overview

This guide is an overview of issues relevant to commercial organic production of temperate-zone fruiting trees and bushes and, to a lesser extent, tree nuts. It includes discussions of marketing and economics, orchard design, and cultural considerations, including crop varieties, site selection, site preparation, soil fertility, weed control, and pest management (insects, diseases, and vertebrates).… Continue reading Tree Fruits: Organic Production Overview

Organic Pulses Production, Economics, and Marketing

Pulses are leguminous crops that are harvested solely for dry seed. Dried beans, lentils, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), and other dry peas are the most known and consumed types of pulses. This publication covers organic pulse production, economics, and marketing. Organic pulse production differs from non-organic production in important ways, and organic pulses in general are… Continue reading Organic Pulses Production, Economics, and Marketing

Disease and Insect Management in Organic Small Grains

This publication introduces the multifaceted comprehensive strategy of weed management used for organic small grain production, combining techniques including crop rotation, sanitation, cultural practices, variety and seed selection and planting, cover crops, tillage, use of organic herbicides, and others.

Organic Small Grain Production Overview

This publication gives a general overview of organic small grain production. It includes basic production principles, tips on transitioning to organic, ideas for rotation design, and examples of rotations from various parts of the United States.

Weed Management in Organic Small Grains

This publication introduces the multifaceted comprehensive strategy of weed management used for organic small grain production, combining techniques including crop rotation, sanitation, cultural practices, variety and seed selection and planting, cover crops, tillage, use of organic herbicides, and others.

Strawberries: Organic Production

This publication provides an overview of organic strawberry production methods. It also covers integrated pest management (IPM) and weed-control techniques that can reduce pesticide use in strawberry production. It includes discussions of weeds, pests, diseases, greenhouse production, plasticulture, fertility, economics, and marketing. It also provides further resources.

Cole Crops and Other Brassicas: Organic Production

Cole crops and other brassicas are grown throughout the United States. These crops are an excellent choice for many organic farmers because of the variety of crops in this family and their nutritional qualities, health benefits, compatibility in planting rotations, and pest-suppressive qualities. This publication addresses soils, fertility, planting, irrigation, pest management, harvesting, and marketing.