akira hirose

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since Mar 06, 2022
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Admittedly a beginner and curiously devouring the endless content of this wonderful forum.

THANK YOU to all the members who share their endless experience, knowledge, products, and/or services!
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Zone 5b / Indiana
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Recent posts by akira hirose

Greetings fellow permies:

In this podcast, Susan Poizner of Orchard People talks about how to grow fruit trees naturally by leveraging historical knowledge and organic, regenerative, and ecological practices with Lindsay Engers of Chiltern Heritage Orchards (CHO) in the UK.

Lindsay is a horticulturist and a lecturer, and he operates his orchard with 3 simple principles:

   -Historical knowledge of reliable cultivars and growing requirements.
   -Organic and regenerative growing techniques which produce highly flavoured, nutritious and pesticide-free crops.
   -Use diverse ecological environmental practices to support the crop through beneficial insects, birds and bats.

Lindsay believes this is a very exciting time for agriculture "if you can persuade yourself to forget some of the things you learned in the past, and you open up a little bit to the idea of being a biological grower."

I thought the underlying message, the soil "science", and the various tips will resonate with many of you...

The conversation is available to watch, read, and/or listen - enjoy!

WATCH on YouTube


CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:02 Defining Natural Fruit Tree Care
00:59 Interview with Lindsay Engers: Natural Fruit Tree Care
02:40 Understanding Regenerative Growing
03:11 Organic vs. Regenerative Agriculture
04:05 Historical Techniques and Varieties
04:53 Challenges and Market Realities
06:43 Nutrient Management and Soil Health
08:09 The Role of Microbiome in Plant Health
14:57 Practical Soil Preparation Techniques
21:04 Managing Grass and Mulching
23:10 The Benefits of Rock Dust
30:18 The Plant Health Pyramid and Pest Management
31:38 The Benefits of Not Spraying
32:15 Healthy Plants and Pest Resistance
32:48 The Importance of Covering Soil
35:38 The Role of Cover Crops
39:14 Foliar Sprays for Tree Health
45:03 Grazing Animals in Orchards
48:47 Deer Protection Strategies
54:46 Transitioning to Natural Growing Methods
56:37 Exciting Times for Agriculture
58:56 Final Thoughts and Resources

DOWNLOAD and LISTEN (linked to the Orchard People website, the host of this podcast)
Orchard People | Growing Fruit Trees Naturally with Lindsay Engers

READ TRANSCRIPT (linked to the Orchard People website, the host of this podcast)
Orchard People | Transcript: Growing Fruit Trees Naturally with Lindsay Engers

READ ARTICLE (linked to the Orchard People website, the host of this podcast)
Growing Fruit Trees Naturally and Regeneratively

EXPLORE RELATED TOPICS:

Custom Fruit Tree Spray Recipes with John Kempf

Why Pests Can't Attack Healthy Plants with Thomas M. Dykstra

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MORE FROM ORCHARD PEOPLE:

Self-paced Online Course: Growing Fruit Trees with Ease (featured in the 2023 Permaculture Adventure Bundle!)

Podcast discussing hugelkultur (with Paul!)

A collection of podcasts

Check out her value-packed fruit tree care courses (Susan is offering new LOWER prices in this day and age!)
1 month ago
Greetings fellow permies:

In this podcast, Susan Poizner of Orchard People interviews Permaculture educator, co-founder of the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute, and co-author of Mulberries in the Rain: Growing Permaculture Plants for Food and Friendship, Ryan Blosser shares plant combinations that work — and the stories behind them — from dynamic accumulators to barrier plants, beneficial insect attractors, and more.

The conversation is available to watch, read, and/or listen - enjoy!

WATCH on YouTube


CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Fruit Tree Care
00:47 Exploring Relationships in Fruit Tree Growing
00:58 Introducing Guest Expert Ryan Blosser
04:09 The Art of Relationships in Permaculture
05:13 The Importance of Human Relationships in Permaculture
07:37 Understanding Companion Planting and Guilds
17:20 Building a Companion Planting Guild, or Groups
25:01 Exploring Willow Trees in Permaculture
30:59 Beneficial Insect Attractors and Pollinator Gardens
32:37 Borage: The Beneficial Attractor
32:56 Attracting Beneficial Insects with Color and Scent
33:07 Color and Smell: Attracting Pollinators
34:09 The Importance of Flower Variety in Gardens
35:35 Stories from the Farm: The Rooster and the Goumi
43:54 Lessons from Hunting and the Persimmon Story
50:56 Companion Planting Insights
54:54 Insights on Specific Plants: Strawberries, Sorrel, and Nettles
56:21 Stinging Nettles and Other Ground Covers
58:03 About Shenandoah Permaculture Institute
59:16 Final Thoughts on Permaculture, Relationships, and Advice for Gardeners

READ TRANSCRIPT (linked to the Orchard People website, the host of this podcast)
Orchard People | Transcript: Companion Planting Fruit Trees with Ryan Blosser

READ ARTICLE (linked to the Orchard People website, the host of this podcast)
Companion Planting Fruit Trees: A Beginner’s Guide to Permaculture Guilds

DOWNLOAD and LISTEN (linked to the Orchard People website, the host of this podcast)
*Click on the "Download MP3" icon right under the header

EXPLORE RELATED TOPICS:
Willow mulch
https://podcast.orchardpeople.com/episodes/episode-36-willow-mulch-for-fruit-trees

Beneficial insect attractor
https://podcast.orchardpeople.com/episodes/episode-3-how-good-bugs-can-protect-your-fruit-trees-from-pests

Cover Crops
https://podcast.orchardpeople.com/episodes/episode-55-cover-crops-and-fruit-trees-the-benefits-and-disadvantages

Pollinator Garden
https://podcast.orchardpeople.com/episodes/episode-35-herbs-in-your-pollinator-garden

---------------------

More from Orchard People
Course: Growing Fruit Trees with Ease (was also featured in the 2023 Permaculture Adventure Bundle!)

Podcast discussing hugelkultur (with Paul!)

A collection of podcasts

Check out her value-packed fruit tree care courses (new LOWER prices in this day and age!)
2 months ago
Just a gentle reminder that this offer ends tonight!
3 months ago
Happy Friday, fellow permies:

Susan Poizner, the founder and host of the Orchard People podcasts, Orchard People fruit tree care education website, and author of gobs of articles, books, and courses, is offering something special.

Her first book, Growing Urban Orchards, has recently been refreshed and she is offering the Kindle version FOR FREE until Monday, June 9 at 11:59 PM PDT!


This book won an award back in 2014, and it’s still just as relevant today.
In fact, it’s used by The Giving Grove to help train community orchardists across the U.S.

For this relaunch, she's given it a beautiful new look to match her newer books (Fruit Tree Pruning and Fruit Tree Grafting for Everyone). It now features a redesigned cover, a foreword from Ashley Williamson of The Giving Grove, updated resources, and inspiring quotes throughout the chapters.

The book is a fun and inspiring read that shares the story of the Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard, one of the first community orchards established in Canada, and answers the big question:
What’s the minimum I need to do to keep fruit trees healthy and productive if I’m a busy person?” and offers lots of clear, practical advice for home growers.

Quoted from the book:
"Growing fruit trees is a quiet act of hope - a way of working with the earth to create beauty, nourishment, and a future worth sharing." -Susan Poizner

More than establishing a community orchard, which is an absolutely commendable, enormous, and rewarding feat in itself, there is an abundance of "life lessons" that readers may be inspired by, depending on where they are in their journey.

The only thing that she asks is to please leave an honest review for the book on Amazon (Amazon relies on early reviews to recommend books to more readers, so your support will make a real difference!)

If you know anyone who might want to join the launch team and get the free eBook, please do share, far and wide!

---------------------

A few steps/instructions on how to get your free Kindle copy and submit a review

Here’s how to get your free Kindle copy on Amazon:

   -In the U.S. go to this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F48PY747
   -In Canada go to this link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F48PY747
   -In the UK go to this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F48PY747
   -Or, visit your respective country’s Amazon store and search for Growing Urban Orchards (Kindle edition).

Then follow these three steps:

   1. Click the orange button that says “Buy now with 1-Click” 👍
   2. Avoid the yellow “Read for Free” button — that’s for Kindle Unlimited and may charge a fee 👎
   3. Once signed into Amazon, the book will be $0 at checkout.

📖 You can read the eBook on any device using the free Kindle app.

📖 By the way, a paperback version is also available for purchase if you dig that format (however this is not free)!
   -In the U.S. go to this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0993811876
   -In Canada go to this link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0993811876
   -In the UK go to this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993811876
   -Or, visit your respective country’s Amazon store and search for Growing Urban Orchards (Kindle edition).

How to Leave Your Review:

   1. Log into your Amazon account.
   2. Find the book page
(you can use the link above).
   3. Scroll down to “Customer reviews” and click “Write a customer review”
   4. Rate the book, add a short comment, and hit submit.

---------------------

Explore more from Orchard People:

Course featured here on Permies: Growing Fruit Trees with Ease (this was also included in the 2023 Permaculture Adventure Bundle!)

Podcast discussing hugelkultur with Paul!

A collection of podcasts
3 months ago
First: I haven't watched the movie yet, but I do appreciate everyone who contributed to the creation of this movie!
All of the reviews/comments on this post serve as a testament to the content and quality.

Second: Long story short, I have an "extra" copy that I am willing to donate.

*As context, I simply mistakenly hit "Buy this as a gift" and proceeded.  Instead of seeking a refund due, why not pay it forward to whomever sees this message.

First come first serve only.

Please PM me with, I believe, your email address according to gir bot 😀
5 months ago
Hi everyone,

Do you have, or may be planning to include hardy kiwi vines (Actinidia arguta) in your landscape?

This species is known to be very vigorous and precocious.
For me, personally, I planted a male and three females a couple of years ago and the growth has been relatively slow, so far.
I finally got around to putting up a trellis late last year and hopefully that will help.

Anyway, I learned quite a bit from this podcast and hoping you will also.
The guest is Iago Hale, Associate Professor in Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Systems at the University of New Hampshire and he explains how to grow kiwiberries in a cool climate.



CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Growing Kiwi in Cold Climates
01:06 Meet the Expert: Iago Hale
01:38 History of Hardy Kiwis
05:56 Pruning Tips for Kiwi Vines
15:10 Pests and Diseases of Kiwi Plants
19:11 Invasive Potential of Hardy Kiwi
27:42 Kiwi Wine and Other Uses
28:24 kiwiberry Characteristics and Breeding
30:51 Color Variations and Diabetic Suitability
32:39 Growing and Pruning Kiwiberries
34:57 Overwintering and Cultivar Selection
42:42 Harvesting and Storage Tips
44:23 Listener Comments and Final Thoughts
45:26 Show Wrap-Up and Resources

Here's the downloadable audio version

Here's the transcript if reading is your style.

Iago and his team's resources at Nor'east Kiwiberries is a treasure trove of information as well!
6 months ago
Hi everyone,

We’re working on an Orchard People podcast episode about native crabapples, and we’d love to feature your images—along with the stories behind them!
If you have photos of specific native crabapple species (e.g. Malus coronaria, fusca, angustifolia, ioensis, etc.), we’d be thrilled to use them (with credit, of course!).

If you’d like to contribute, we’d love to know more about your trees:
1. Where did you find or plant this crabapple tree?
2. Did you grow it from seed, or was it naturally occurring?
3. How did you identify the species? (Are you confident in the ID, and what resources did you use?)
4. What’s the fruit like? (Taste, size, color, how you use it, etc.)
5. Does the tree have any special significance? (Historical, personal, or ecological value?)
6. What’s its growth habit like? (Tree size, shape, resilience, any noticeable disease resistance?)
7. Have you noticed any wildlife interactions? (Pollinators, birds, animals that enjoy the fruit?)
8. Do you have any personal experiences or observations that make this tree special?

If you’re open to sharing, please reply here or send photos and stories our way podcast@orchardpeople dot com.
We’d love to highlight your photos in the podcast and your experiences in the accompanying article!

This is the 9-minute short video clip version of the podcast


This is the full audio version (linked to download page), which will be spruced up with the images
This is the transcript if reading is your style

Thank you so much!
6 months ago
Bumping - last call for anyone who may be interested in a free eBook:

If you’ve ever wondered…

🔹 When is the right time to prune?

🔹 What’s the best shape for my fruit tree?

🔹 How do I prune without damaging my tree?

…this book has the answers! 📖

Feel free to share this free Kindle deal with friends or post about it on social media before the promo ends at midnight PST today, Saturday March 1st!
6 months ago
Thank you for your feedback, Anna!

Yes, the buttons in Amazon can be quite tricky, and the "wrong" option can mistakenly sign one up to a subscription!
And yes, peach trees are very vigorous, and while I think I did some things right, many mistakes (including pruning in the winter).

I hope the book helps explain the why, and options, and gives you confidence!

Here's a link to the podcast, fresh off the press, if it may be of interest and benefit:
Pruning to improve fruit quality with Harold Thornbro
6 months ago
Hi fellow permies:

Here's the latest note from Susan, in case you are not a part of her email communication.
Enjoy!

---------------------

"If you tried to download my new book, Fruit Tree Pruning: The Science and Art of Cultivating Healthy Fruit Trees, last week, you may have noticed something was… off.

Unfortunately, I uploaded a version with formatting issues, making it hard to read and not displaying images correctly on some devices.

The good news?
It’s now fully fixed and formatted perfectly for Kindle! Whether you’re reading on a tablet, phone, or e-reader, the text and images will now appear just as they should.
And for the next 5 days only, you can download it for FREE! 🎉

This book will change the way you prune—helping you understand exactly when, where, and how to make cuts for healthier, more productive trees.
Thank you for your patience and support—I’m so excited for you to finally enjoy the book in its best format!

📣 Got pruning questions? Ask me LIVE today!
To celebrate the launch, I’ll be answering your fruit tree pruning questions on a live radio show & podcast TODAY, February 25th, at 1 PM Eastern Time! Harold Thornbro of The Modern Homesteading Podcast will be interviewing me, and you’re invited to join us, ask questions, and be part of the conversation.

Ways to listen & participate:
1. Watch live on the Orchard People YouTube Channel and ask your questions in the chat.
2. Listen on RealityRadio101.com and email in your questions (tune in for details).

👉 Now, back to your free eBook...
Go to Amazon.com (US) or Amazon.ca (Canada), or search for Fruit Tree Pruning (Kindle edition) in your country's Amazon store.
1. Click the orange button that says "Buy now with 1-Click"
2. Avoid the yellow “Read for Free” button—that’s for Kindle Unlimited and comes with a charge.
3. The system will prompt you to sign into Amazon and then you will be able to check out with a total cost of $0.

📖 You can read the eBook on any device using the free Kindle app.

📖 By the way, a paperback version is also available for purchase if you dig that format!
Go to Amazon.com (US) or Amazon.ca (Canada), or search for Fruit Tree Pruning (Paperback) in your country's Amazon store.

Once you’ve downloaded it, I’d love for you to share your review on Amazon—it only takes a few minutes, but it makes a big difference!

How to Leave Your Review:
1. Log into your Amazon account.
2. Find the book page (you can use the link above).
3. Scroll down to “Customer reviews” and click “Write a customer review”
4. Rate the book, add a short comment, and hit submit.

💡Know someone who would love this book?

Feel free to share this free Kindle deal with friends or post about it on social media before the promo ends on Saturday, March 1!

Thank you for being part of this journey—I truly appreciate your support!

Warmly,

Susan"
6 months ago