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
Type: Manuals/Guides
Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production
Organic greenhouse vegetable production requires extensive upfront investment but can yield premium prices if the grower can identify a marketing channel without a lot of competition. The key to profitable greenhouse vegetable production is keeping annual costs low. The highest costs for greenhouse production are energy and labor. This publication includes information on energy conservation,… Continue reading Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production
Herbs: Organic Greenhouse Production
This publication discusses various marketing channels for organic herbs and assesses the economic factors to consider for small-scale organic greenhouse production of fresh-cut herbs. It also addresses production methods, including potential for hydroponic production.
Apples: Organic Production Guide
This publication provides information on organic apple production from recent research and producer experience. Many aspects of apple production are the same whether the grower uses low-spray, organic, or conventional management. Accordingly, this publication focuses on the aspects that differ from nonorganic practices-primarily pest and disease control, marketing, and economics.
Pears: Organic Production
This introduction to commercial organic pear production covers pear diseases, disease-resistant cultivars, rootstocks, insect and mite pests and their treatment, Asian pears, and marketing. Two profiles of organic pear growers are included. Electronic and print resources are provided for further research.
Pruning for Organic Management of Fruit Tree Diseases
This publication explains why pruning is an especially important disease-management tool for organic tree fruit growers. It explains how to remove diseased wood and prune branches and discusses how this can control spread of disease and help prevent hosting of pathogens that cause rot. Pruning strategies for apples and pears are contrasted with techniques used… Continue reading Pruning for Organic Management of Fruit Tree Diseases
Potting Mixes for Certified Organic Production
This publication covers considerations for an organic grower selecting a potting mix to use for transplant or containerized plant production or for someone wishing to blend organic media. This publication discusses individual components of potting media in addition to organic and biological amendments to improve plant performance. Several organic potting mix recipes are included in… Continue reading Potting Mixes for Certified Organic Production
Blueberries: Organic Production
Blueberries are the most widely grown fruit crop in the United States. Blueberries are well-suited to organic culture, and good markets exist for organically grown blueberries. This production guide addresses key aspects of organic blueberry production, including soils and fertility, cultural considerations, pests, weeds, and diseases, as well as marketing. Additional resources are provided for… Continue reading Blueberries: Organic Production
Brambles: Organic Production
This publication focuses on organic practices for blackberry and raspberry production. It discusses cultural considerations including site selection, establishment, pruning and trellising, and it introduces organic practices for fertility, weed, disease, and insect management. It also provides new information on greenhouse production and season extension and addresses economics and marketing.
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.