The Holistic Orchard: Tree Fruits and Berries The Biological Way

I noticed that "The Holistic Orchard" by Michael Phillips isn't listed in the book review post, it should be, as it's excellent.  

Mr. Phillips has two other books "The Apple Grower," and "Mycorrhizal Planet.  I'm wondering if anyone can chime in on the latter two books.

I have this book and read it too, and I agree it's excellent. I have not read his other two books, but I do have Mychorrizal Planet on my wish list.

James Freyr wrote:I have this book and read it too, and I agree it's excellent. I have not read his other two books, but I do have Mychorrizal Planet on my wish list.

Thanks James

Has anyone written a review for it yet?

If not, could you write one Scott?  Make sure it includes the magic words 'I give this book x out 10 acorns' and once there's a review a staff member is likely to create a book summary post (though you could have a go at that too if you want - I'm crazy crazy busy with family health issues right now and I'm not sure how much time other staff members have either), add your review post to the thread and add the thread to the review grid.  Once the grid knows about it, it will pick up the score.

The more reviews a book has, the higher it appears on the grid.  

Burra Maluca wrote:Has anyone written a review for it yet?

If not, could you write one Scott?  Make sure it includes the magic words 'I give this book x out 10 acorns' and once there's a review a staff member is likely to create a book summary post (though you could have a go at that too if you want - I'm crazy crazy busy with family health issues right now and I'm not sure how much time other staff members have either), add your review post to the thread and add the thread to the review grid.  Once the grid knows about it, it will pick up the score.

The more reviews a book has, the higher it appears on the grid.  

I looked at the list and it has not been reviewed.  I will put a book review on my to-do list.

I picked up Mycorrhizal Planet and am about halfway through it. There are some interesting ideas involving non fruiting bodies of mushrooms and list incorporating different species together for better resilence. I haven't tested any of this so I am not sure how useful the information is. However, Phillips ideas' are unique and worth attempting as they adhere to natural principles.

Ive read, and re-read and re-read both Apple grower and holistic orchard. I wish he had just come out with an expanded version of Apple grower as you really need both books to get a full picture of his methods. Each book by itself feels incomplete, and it's work to try to piece it all together given his writing style. He needs a better editor...

That said, they are the best (perhaps only?) guide out there for organic orcharding; and I've bought multiple copies of each to give to friends (or replace loaned copies not returned), so I've found them to be worth the effort...

I reviewed Mycorrhizal Planet for Publishers Weekly when it first came out. It's PW lenght and style so not as specific and focused as a review I would do here, but it might be somewhat helpful:
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-60358-658-0

I've done a book summary of The Holistic Orchard: Tree Fruits and Berries the Biological Way by Michael Phillips at this link https://permies.com/wiki/73426/Holistic-Orchard-Tree-Fruits-Berries#611239 if anyone wants to add information or do a review.
I've made it a 'wiki' so it's easy to add to the summary using the edit button.
For reviews post a comment/reply below the summary.

and another for The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist by Michael Phillips

Hi -
Does anyone have any comments on his holistic spring sprays?
Isn't neem oil a bit mean to the good microbes, especially when cut with soap?
Is liquid fish the same as liquid fish fertilizer?
Thanks!
B

Briony Beveridge wrote:Hi -
Does anyone have any comments on his holistic spring sprays?
Isn't neem oil a bit mean to the good microbes, especially when cut with soap?
Is liquid fish the same as liquid fish fertilizer?
Thanks!
B

I have been going through Micheals books this winter and plan to work my way towards implementation this year.  Certainly Neem oil would contain anti- microbial and anti fungal compounds.  You have to sometimes kill some of the good along with the bad.  He talks about this in relationship to copper and sulphur.  They work well in organic systems but not completely without consequence.  The soap is needed to emulsify the neem so it will be water soluble to a degree. The neem oil has fatty acids that feed the arboreal food web as it breaks down.


The fish is fish fertilizer but Micheal makes the point many times that not all fish fertilizer is the same.  His choice is rich in fatty acids and amino acids. And processed in a specific manner.
I found the type he suggests at whiffletree Nursery ion Ontario.