Grow healthier orchards with expert, time-tested methods from a California horticulture pioneer.
This edition distills thirty years of hands-on experience into practical guidance for preparing soil, selecting nursery stock, and planting fruit trees and olives in California’s climate. Learn how careful soil management, proper timing, and sane pruning can boost root growth, fruitfulness, and long-term orchard health.
The book emphasizes simple, reliable techniques that reduce risk and improve outcomes. From grading and drainage to puddling roots and correct planting depth, the guidance is direct and actionable. You’ll find clear steps for handling shipping stock, protecting young trees, and designing rows with practical spacing to maximize performance and looks.
- How to prepare soil so trees grow strong roots and deep, reliable growth.
- Best planting times for deciduous and evergreen fruit trees in California.
- Hands-on steps for handling nursery stock, transplanting, and initial pruning.
- Strategies for irrigation, drainage, and base-line layout to keep orchards orderly and productive.
Ideal for readers of practical horticulture and orchard planning, this edition is a solid reference for homeowners and commercial growers alike who want steady, well-supported results.