I think Steve Solomon of the "Territorial" seed company should be encouraged to write a book on tree fruits, similar to his Vegetable gardening west of the Cascades. He is an outstanding writer and I like his approach to horticulture, which is not anyone's party line.
He truly has his hand on the issues of our Maritime regional climate, and I think he would be a great author. Of course his book on Vegetable Gardening does contain much valuable information that even a fruit grower can profit from.
As for the Best Book, I would suggest a subscription to Pomona Quarterly would be a great step in making that decision. It would at least suggest topics to study.
One that a lot of people read is the Sunset Garden Book. The only thing better than that for beginners/generalists is the shower of insults that it gets and I will now get by specialists who argue (almost always correctly) that they are not completely correct about their favorite plant. I still like it as a beginner/generalist book.
John S
PDX OR
Here is a fruit growers' book from the British Isles.
I think their climate is a lot closer to Western WA and Western Oregon, 'north of Corvallis' than most of the USA, and that what works for them will do well over here on the 'west' side of the Cascades. Most of WSU info is aimed at the Commerical Orchards in the Desert areas.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Growin ... 532/?itm=1
Here’s one of my oldest and favorite all-around fruit growing books (likely the Best): Western Fruit, Berries and Nuts: How to Select, Grow and Enjoy -
http://www.allbookstores.com/book/0895860783
By Robert Stebbins & Lance Walheim, 1981 Fisher Publishing, Inc. HP Books. In fact, on my edition's page 189 there’s a ‘link’ to the Home Orchard Society – that’s how I first made contact! I think it’s still in print and I believe I’ve seen it among our publication selections at HOS events.
It’s a well balanced all-around book on fruits and nuts; their selection, establishment, care and uses. Wonderful photos and solid basic knowledge, including grafting and pruning! Lacking the ‘newest,’ it includes the best of the long-time varieties – of which have worked best for me.
here's my favorite references booklist..... for just one, go with the home orchard, put out by univ. california.
The Apple Grower Michael Phillips
The Home Orchard Univ. of California; eds. Ingels, Geisel & Norton
The Grafters Handbook R J Garner
Pruning and Training Alan Toogood, ed. / American Horticultural Society
Plant Propagation Christopher Brickell, ed. /Amer. Hort. Society
Fruit, Nut & Berry Inventory Seed Savers Exchange
IPM for Stone Fruits Univ. of California; Pub. 3389
IPM for Apples and Pears Univ. of California; Pub. 3340
Temperate Zone Pomology Melvin Westwood
Dwarfed Fruit Trees Harold Tukey
The Backyard Orchardist Stella Otto
The Backyard Berry Book Stella Otto
Growing Unusual Fruit Alan Simmons
NAFEX Handbook & Back Issues of Pomona NAFEX
The Grape Grower Lon Rombaugh
The Lorette System of Pruning Louis Lorette – digitized online at
http://chla.library.cornell.edu/c/chla/browse.html
PNW Plant Diseases Control Handbook free from OSU extension http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/
PNW Insect Control Handbook free from OSU extension http://pnwpest.org/pnw/insects
Natural Enemies Handbook Mary Louise Flint
Color Handbook of Garden Insects Anna Carr
Drip Irrigation Robert Kourik
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
John S
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