UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Amateur Pennsylvania gardeners looking to take the next step up from rhododendrons will want a copy of "Small-Scale Fruit Production," a new manual developed by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. The guide is designed for people who want to produce fruit on one acre or less.
"Small-Scale Fruit Production" offers step-by-step instruction for hobbyists in the care and growing of apples, pears, peaches, grapes, berries, kiwi and many other common fruit varieties. Starting with planning for the planting site, the 180-page manual offers tips on the best times for planting fruit trees, pollination requirements for trees and other fruits, an explanation of soil fertility and pH needs, and a year-round schedule titled "Monthly Maintenance for Home Fruit Gardeners."
Authored by Penn State researchers and faculty, the manual is targeted for Pennsylvania's amateur growers, with climatological and pest-management information specific to the state. It includes a statewide listing of nursery sources for tree fruit and small fruit plants.
"Small-Scale Fruit Production" was developed as a resource for people who are not licensed to use pesticides. The guide emphasizes the most recently developed production methods that use alternative pest control strategies--such as integrated pest management--to reduce pesticide use.
"Small-Scale Fruit Production" contains valuable graphs and charts, as well as entire chapters devoted to pome fruits, stone fruits, grapes, brambles and more. The publication is available for $9. For ordering information, telephone 814-865-6713.
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EDITORS: For ordering information, contact the Publications Distribution Center at 865-6713.
Contacts: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax