Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
show that growing fruit organically, at least commercially, costs more than
it does for conventional orchards.
Furthermore, you cannot reduce organic fruit growing methods to a few
recipes or recommendations. Each orchard site is unique in terms of soils, cli-
mate, pests, diseases, and beneficial organisms. As organic orchards mature,
both they and the environments they are part of change. Soil fertility, pH,
and soil organisms shift in response to orchard floor management practices.
Beneficial and pest organism populations undergo changes. As an orchardist,
you must continually evaluate what is going on and what you need to do to
maintain a healthy orchard ecosystem.
So Why Grow Fruits Organically?
There are many reasons for having an organic fruit orchard. For some, mar-
keting organic tree fruit is highly profitable. Demand by commercial organic
growers for improved production practices and materials has driven much of
the research and led to many of the advances in fruit production during the
past decade. According to market statistics, there are still great commercial
prospects for organic orchards, from local sales to international exports.
For some, producing food organically is a matter of being a good steward
and caring for the environment. Others consider that organically grown fruit
tastes better or is healthier for you than conventionally grown produce.
Whatever your reason, now is a terrific time to be an organic orchardist.
So let's get started.
