Orchard People

Classic Episode: Vertical Mulching with Dr. Glynn Percival

We often think about watering, pruning, and fertilizing when a fruit tree struggles. In this Classic Episode, Dr. Glynn Percival explores another possibility: compacted soil. Learn what vertical mulching is, when it may help, and why healthy roots begin with healthy soil.Dr. Glynn Percival is a Senior Arboricultural Research Manager at Bartlett Tree Experts in the UK.You can download Glynn's PowerPoint presentation referred to in the show by clicking here. The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://www.orchardpeople.com/booksHOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Vertical Mulching for Fruit Trees: When Surface Mulch Isn't Enough" and find the video and podcast links there too! --------------------- ✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other ProductsThese show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support! 

Classic Episode: Grow Fruit Trees Fast with John Cline

In this classic Orchard People podcast episode, explore why some fruit trees grow vigorously while others struggle for years before producing fruit, with fruit tree physiologist John Cline about the science behind fruit tree growth, productivity, and early fruiting.John Cline Ph.D, is a professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture, at the University of Guelph in Ontario.Together, they explore how rootstocks, pruning, branch training, soil conditions, sunlight, watering, and tree genetics all influence how quickly fruit trees establish and produce harvests.This conversation originally helped inspire Susan’s book Grow Fruit Trees Fast and remains one of Orchard People’s foundational discussions on young fruit tree care.In this episode, you’ll learn:• The difference between vigor and precocity• Why some fruit tree varieties grow faster than others• How rootstocks affect tree size and productivity• Why branch bending can encourage earlier fruiting• When pruning stimulates growth — and when it delays harvests• How soil, sunlight, and irrigation influence tree health• Common mistakes that slow young fruit trees downThe host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/booksHOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Fertilizing Fruit Trees: Why Water Matters More Than You Think" and find the video and podcast links there too! --------------------- ✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other ProductsThese show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support! 

Watering and feeding fruit trees with Casey Clapp

Learn how watering and feeding fruit trees work together with arborist, author, and educator Casey Clapp on this episode of the Orchard People Radio Show.Casey is the co-host of Completely Arbortrary and an arborist based in Portland, Oregon.Learn more:https://caseyclapp.comhttps://arbortrarypod.comhttps://www.gofundme.com/manage/yearoftheconeThe host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/booksHOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Fertilizing Fruit Trees: Why Water Matters More Than You Think" and find the video and podcast links there too! --------------------- ✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other ProductsThese show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

How to Read a Soil Test for Fruit Trees (and What to Try Next) with Ariel Agenbroad

What do all those numbers on a soil test actually mean?In this episode of the Orchard People podcast, Susan Poizner speaks with soil educator Ariel Agenbroad about how to read a soil test for fruit trees and how to interpret results like pH, organic matter, nitrogen, and electrical conductivity.Extension Professor Ariel Agenbroad has been working with urban farmers, gardeners and community members for over 18 years through University of Idaho Extension. Her love of plants, people and the natural world shape her programs and her approach to education. She is currently involved with a community orchard at Spaulding Ranch, a one of a kind historic agricultural park owned by the City of Boise.Together, they explore how soil tests can guide your decisions—without overcorrecting or rushing to “fix” your soil.You’ll learn: how to interpret soil test results in context  why pH matters for nutrient availability  what organic matter levels really tell you  why nitrogen is difficult to measure accurately  how to build healthier soil over time If you’re just getting started, you may also want to check out the podcast on how to evaluate your soil before planting fruit trees, also with Ariel.HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs. IS READING YOUR THING?🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace. 🌐 Article: Read the companion article linked to the show "How to Read a Soil Test for Fruit Trees: What Your Results Really Tell You" and find the video and podcast links there too! The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/.  Additional Resources on this topic:Managing Cover Crops Profitably: https://www.sare.org/resources/managing-cover-crops-profitably-3rd-edition/ (available free online or in print)Cover Cropping for Beneficials Guide: https://www.sare.org/resources/cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects/Oregon State University Cover Crop Calculator: https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/calculatorCompilation of Washington State University Organic Orchard Floor Management resources, including Cover Cropping: https://tfrec.cahnrs.wsu.edu/organicag/tree-fruit/orchard-floor-management/FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other ProductsThese show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Evaluate Your Soil Before Planting Fruit Trees with Ariel Agenbroad

Learn how to evaluate your soil and to prepare it for a fruit tree planting with Ariel Agenbroad, Area extension educator in community food systems and small farms at the University of Idaho Extension, Boise, Idaho, on this episode of the Orchard People Radio Podcast.The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/booksShe is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.comHOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs. IS READING YOUR THING?🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace. 🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Preparing Soil for Fruit Trees Before You Plant" and find the video and podcast links there too!  ✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other ProductsThese show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!