Thinking Links

for Holistic Orchard Research

Knowledge is integral to figuring out holistic orchard systems. The websites listed here are either complete curriculums in themselves or a portal to never-ending discovery. As always, send me your own worthy suggestions please!

Soil Health

Soil & Health Library: Online editions of out-of-print classics provide in-depth knowledge of those who came before us. Everyone should especially peruse "SOIL MICROORGANISMS AND HIGHER PLANTS" by the Russian soil scientist N. A. Krasil'nikov. You just never know what you'll find in an old book!

Soil Food Web: Elaine Ingram's site brings one up-to-date on the fascinating interplay of soil life and the nuances of aerobic compost tea. This is also the place to connect for submitting soil samples for bioassay work.

What is High Brix: Understanding the theory behind healthy plant readings via the refractometer. This skill allows us to communicate our success stories to one another.

Working with Mycorrhizas in Forestry and Agriculture: There are wonderful places on the worldwide web where you can actually learn tons of information. Here lies a ton of mycorrhizal understanding to intrigue every biological farmer.

Resisting Disease

Stop Scab Project: Danish research into alternatives to sulfur and copper

Tree Fruit Pathology: This Geneva Experiment Station site leads you down some of the best fruit disease avenues from the university system on the web today.

The Fungal Curve: The rhythm of fungal happenings in the orchard very much ties into the cycles of feeder root growth of the apple tree. All of us should ponder the drawings posted in this article, Honoring the Orchard Ecosystem, when considering our methods.

Insect Dynamics

Biological Control Information Center: This extensive listing of biocontrol links should satisfy most every ladybug-hugging soul out there.

Organic Fruit IPM: Referring to IPM as "organic" certainly seems confusing, and yet this Virginia University pest portal serves us exceedingly well.

Organic Production

Upper Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers: This comprehensive research page links to both university and grower projects.

FiBL Research Institute for Organic Agriculture: Here's an entry point to Swiss and German research in organic fruit production.

Organic & Integrated Fruit Production: Washington State University offers this organic apple portal worth perusing.

Improving the Apple

Midwest Apple Improvement Association: Apple growers need to embrace "bioregional heirlooms-to-be" that stand up to the challenges of the orchard ecosystem. Here's one place to get enthused!

Holistic Orchard Research

• Soil Health
• Resisting Disease
• Insect Dynamics 
• Balanced Orchard Nutrition
• Biodynamic Fruit
• Varietal Notes
• Rootstock Realities
• Thinking Links for Holistic Orchard Research