Guide covers more crops, pest management and irrigation advances, practical research findings
Growing tree fruit or nuts? “The Home Orchard,” a new edition of the definitive guide to growing deciduous fruit and nut trees at home, is now available for gardeners, hobbyists and fruit and nut aficionados. This essential reference book provides everything serious home orchardists need for decades of productive, sustainable fruit and nut growing.
Published by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, the expanded second edition covers site selection, variety choice, pruning, grafting, irrigation and integrated pest management.
The new guide, updating the acclaimed first edition from 2007, delivers the latest science-backed insights for more crops and incorporates nearly two decades of new research.
“This vital reference for backyard tree fruit growers has been significantly expanded beyond common crops such as peaches and apples, and now includes coverage of figs, persimmons and nuts – almonds, walnuts, pecans, chestnuts, filberts and pistachios,” said Paul Vossen, emeritus UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor and co-author of “The Home Orchard.” “It includes integrated pest management guidance for each crop.”
This 240-page resource features significantly expanded content, including:
- In-depth integrated pest management strategies for sustainable home growing
- Modern rootstock recommendations reflecting current breeding advances
- Water-efficient irrigation system design and technologies
- Climate-adaptive practices for changing environmental conditions
Troubleshooting chapters help diagnose common problems such as failure to bear and physiological disorders. The book guides readers through tree biology, growth cycles and the science behind the recommendations – empowering them to make informed decisions for each site’s unique conditions.
This new edition honors the legacy of late UC Cooperative Extension advisor Chuck Ingels, who served as a technical editor and a co-author of the 2007 edition of “The Home Orchard.”
John Karlik, emeritus UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Kern County for environmental horticulture and environmental science, is the technical editor and a co-author. His co-authors include current and past UC ANR experts: Chuck Ingels, Maxwell Norton, Ted DeJong, Louise Ferguson, Mary Louise Flint, Pamela Geisel, Janet Hartin, Janine Hasey, Katherine Jarvis-Shean, Scott Johnson, Craig Kallsen, Niamh Quinn, Lawrence Schwankl, Beth Teviotdale and Paul Vossen.
The paperback book costs $40 and can be ordered online from the UC ANR Catalog: https://bit.ly/HomeOrchard2.
