Orchard People

Learn how to choose the best companion plants for your fruit trees, build simple and effective guilds, and avoid common mistakes.Permaculture educator, co-founder of the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute, and co-author of Mulberries in the Rain: Growing Permaculture Plants for Food and Friendship, Ryan Blosser shares plant combinations that work — and the stories behind them — from dynamic accumulators to barrier plants, beneficial insect attractors, and more.The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com. Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/booksShe is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.comHOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCASTThe show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET! While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Companion Planting Fruit Trees: A Beginner Permaculture Guide" and find the video and podcast links there too! ✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/MORE PODCASTS TO EXPLORE WITH RELATED TOPICS:Willow mulchWillow Mulch for Fruit Trees with Dr. Glynn PercivalRelationship with trees and companion plantingKnow Your Fruit Tree's Name with Jason Adkins, and Brown Turkey Fig Trees in Philly with Erica Smith FichmanBeneficial insect attractorHow Good Bugs Can Protect Your Fruit Trees From Pests with Jessica Walliser and Brian SpencerAutumn OlivesAutumn Olives - If You Can't Beat Them, Eat Them! with Dustin KellyPerennial VegetablesGrowing Perennial Vegetables with Ben CaeserCover CropsCover Crops with Christina CurrellNitrogen FixerDo Nitrogen Fixing Plants Improve Soil Fertility with Stefan SobkowiakPollinator GardenBee Garden Design and Fruit Trees with Lorraine JohnsonFood ForestTurning Your Backyard Into a Food Forest with Dani BakerFood Forest Design with Lincoln SmithFoodscaping with Matt LebonPersimmonHybrid Persimmons with Darren Bender-BeauregardThese show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!(00:00) - Introduction to Fruit Tree Care (00:47) - Exploring Relationships in Fruit Tree Growing (00:58) - Introducing Guest Expert Ryan Blosser (04:09) - The Art of Relationships in Permaculture (05:13) - The Importance of Human Relationships in Permaculture (07:37) - Understanding Companion Planting and Guilds (17:20) - Building a Companion Planting Guild, or Groups (25:01) - Exploring Willow Trees in Permaculture (30:59) - Beneficial Insect Attractors and Pollinator Gardens (32:37) - Borage: The Beneficial Attractor (32:56) - Attracting Beneficial Insects with Color and Scent (33:07) - Color and Smell: Attracting Pollinators (34:09) - The Importance of Flower Variety in Gardens (35:35) - Stories from the Farm: The Rooster and the Goumi (43:54) - Lessons from Hunting and the Persimmon Story (50:56) - Companion Planting Insights (54:54) - Insights on Specific Plants: Strawberries, Sorrel, and Nettles (56:21) - Stinging Nettles and Other Ground Covers (58:03) - About Shenandoah Permaculture Institute (59:16) - Final Thoughts on Permaculture, Relationships, and Advice for Gardeners

Learn how to grow and enjoy the fruit of the overlooked and forgotten medlar (Mespilus germanica) with Jane Steward, author of MEDLARS - Growing & Cooking (affiliate link), founder of Eastgate Larder in North Norfolk, UK (which is also part of the prestigious Plant Heritage National Collection), in this episode of the Orchard People Radio Show.ABOUTOrchard People, formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, has grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of the monthly guest experts, organizations, and community from around the world. The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com. HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCASTThe show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET! While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward. Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.NEWSLETTERDo you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically and beyond?Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's FREE monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/BOOKSSusan is the author of four books on fruit tree care.Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/booksCOURSESSusan is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.comARTICLESFor more information on this topic, click on the links below: How to Prune Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/How to Feed Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/How to Graft Fruit Trees:https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support! (00:00) - Introduction and Confession (00:39) - Meet Jane Steward: Medlar Expert (02:00) - What Are Medlars? (03:03) - Growing Medlar Trees (08:07) - Medlar Tree Pests and Diseases (12:39) - Pruning Medlar Trees (21:23) - Medlar Tree Varieties and National Collection (23:09) - Ensuring the Survival of the Medlar (23:40) - Choosing and Identifying Cultivars (27:47) - Growing Conditions and Planting Tips (34:46) - Medlar in Gourmet Cuisine (39:37) - The Bletting Process (42:43) - Exploring the History of Medlar (45:40) - Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Learn how to make your fruit trees produce better quality fruit with specialist fruit tree pruning!In this special episode, Harold Thornbro, Host of The Modern Homesteading Podcast (https://redemptionpermaculture.com/category/podcast/) interviews Susan Poizner of OrchardPeople.com.Susan is the author of the new book Fruit Tree Pruning: The Science and Art of Cultivating Healthy Fruit Trees (affiliate link).Plus, don’t miss our Spotlight on Fruit Trees segment, where we explore Nadia Cherries with Rye Owen of Raintree Nursery in Morton, Washington!You can also check out the previous episode when Harold interviewed Susan (Episode 96 on September 26, 2023):-Listen to podcast-Read transcript-Watch on YouTubeAdditional relevant resources:-Read more articles about pruning to maintain tree health, control size, or boost productivity here.-Podcast episode featuring John Kempf and the use of "household" ingredients may also be of interest here.-Podcast episode featuring Linda Chalker-Scott discussing the best woodchips for mulch, and how to source here.The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website http://www.orchardpeople.com. Formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show, from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, we have grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of our monthly guests, organizations, and audience from around the world. We offer something for everyone to support your fruit tree care journey, whether you prefer to learn through listening, watching, and/or reading. RADIO SHOW and PODCAST - FOUR WAYS TO TUNE INJoin our live show on the last Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM ET and submit your questions and comments!Can’t make it live? No worries – catch the podcast later. Here’s how:Live Audio: Listen on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM on TuesdayLive Video: Watch live on the Orchard People YouTube Channel at 1:00 PM on TuesdayAudio Podcast: Download the podcast after the showVideo Podcast: Watch the recorded video on our YouTube Podcast Playlist NEWSLETTERDo you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically, and beyond?Sign up for the free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/ PREMIUM EDUCATIONAre you ready to dig deeper and further your relationship with your fruit trees?Visit https://learn.orchardpeople.com/ for five-star rated premium fruit tree care education. CONNECT AND GROW WITH USWe continually adapt our presence to the communities that resonate with us.Check out the current ways to connect with us in the footer ↓Let’s grow together!(00:00) - Introduction and Goals of Fruit Tree Growing (00:22) - The Importance of Pruning (02:08) - Pruning vs. Fertilizing and Spraying (05:10) - Winter vs. Summer Pruning (10:01) - Questions from the Audience: Identify the "Why" for pruning established fruit tress and stick with the strategy (14:49) - Natural Fertilizers and Soil Health (17:42) - Pruning Techniques for Different Climates (23:34) - Spotlight on Fruit Trees (25:48) - Clarifying Raised Beds for Root Rot (26:42) - Pruning Techniques for Old Trees (28:15) - When to Start Spraying Young Trees (30:08) - Natural Remedies for Tree Diseases (31:17) - Planting on Raised Mounds (35:18) - Using Natural Mulches (36:27) - Early Mistakes and Lessons in Pruning (41:11) - Pruning Tips for Small Urban Gardens (45:35) - Managing Large, Unpruned Trees (48:41) - Get Susan's New Book on Fruit Tree Pruning

How can you create a self-watering permaculture garden or orchard? The secret is in the soil! We explore that topic with Bill Wilson of MidwestPermaculture.com in this episode of the Orchard People radio show. Learn about Bill's online course here:https://midwestpermaculture.com/the-heart-of-permaculture/The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com. FOUR WAYS TO TUNE INJoin our live show on the last Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM ET and submit your questions and comments! Can’t make it live? No worries—catch the podcast later.Here’s how:Live Audio: Listen on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM on TuesdayLive Video: Watch live on the Orchard People YouTube page at 1:00 PM on TuesdayAudio Podcast: Download the podcast after the showVideo Podcast: Watch the recorded video on our YouTube Podcast Playlist Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/. (00:00) - Journey to Texas: A Surprising Landscape (00:52) - Introducing Bill Wilson: Permaculture Expert (01:00) - Permaculture Principles: Water Management (03:20) - Online Permaculture Courses: A New Era (06:35) - Rain Gardens vs. Berms and Swales (08:35) - Small Space Solutions: Urban Permaculture (16:04) - Aquaponics: Integrating Fish and Plants (22:11) - Permaculture Tools: No-Till Farming (24:27) - Permaculture Defined: Sustainable Living (25:42) - Commercials (28:49) - Orchard People Radio Show Part 2 Introduction (29:01) - Interview with Bill Wilson: Passive Watering Systems (29:47) - Gray Water Systems and Passive Irrigation (32:23) - Permaculture Principles and Practices (35:49) - Using Cover Crops and Plants to Make Soil More Absorbant (40:20) - Soil Drenches and Compost Techniques (45:50) - Final Thoughts and Reflections

Learn about Columnar Apple Trees for Small Gardens in this episode of the Orchard People radio show. Our guests are: Kenong Xu, Associate Professor, and Laura Dougherty of Cornell University in Geneva New York and Angela Palmer, Founder and Co-Owner of Plants Nouveau in Alabama. The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com. FOUR WAYS TO TUNE INJoin our live show on the last Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM ET and submit your questions and comments! Can’t make it live? No worries—catch the podcast later.Here’s how:Live Audio: Listen on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM on TuesdayLive Video: Watch live on the Orchard People YouTube page at 1:00 PM on TuesdayAudio Podcast: Download the podcast after the showVideo Podcast: Watch the recorded video on our YouTube Podcast Playlist Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/. (00:00) - Introduction to Apple Trees (00:17) - Exploring Dwarfing and Columnar Apple Trees (01:14) - Meet the Experts: Cornell University Researchers and Horticulturalist from Plants Nouveau (03:01) - History of Columnar Apple Trees (06:14) - Audience Interaction and Questions (07:01) - Why Columnar Apple Trees are Unique (08:34) - Columnar Apple Tree Rootstocks (09:20) - Can Columnar Trees be Tip Bearing (12:16) - Genetic Research and Breeding Columnar Apple Trees for Small Gardens (16:17) - How long before a Wijcik columnar apple tree bears fruit? (17:12) - What do the apples from a Wijcik apple tree taste like? (18:21) - Do Columnar Apple Trees need Cross Pollination? (20:22) - Challenges and Benefits of Columnar Apple Trees (23:34) - Variations in the Columnar Shape (26:24) - What does Columnar Growing Habit Mean and What do Columnar Apple Trees Look Like? (29:01) - Do Columnar Apple Trees Produce as Much Fruit as Conventional Apple Trees? (29:45) - Do Columnar Apple Trees Get Canker More Frequently than Conventional Apple Trees? (32:05) - Commercial Break (35:11) - Show Resumption and Guest Introduction (35:58) - Do Columnar Apple Trees Need Pruning and Special Care? (38:00) - Marketing and Cultivars of Columnar Apple Trees (45:36) - Can Columnar Apple Trees be Used for Espalier Plantings? (47:22) - Columnar Apple Tree Rootstocks and Growing Conditions (49:15) - Columnar Apple Trees and Chill Hours for Cold and Warm Climates (51:29) - Growing Columnar Apple Trees in Pots (56:16) - Future of Columnar Apple Trees - In Outer Space??? (57:58) - Conclusion and Farewell

Learn how to look at fruit tree leaves and identify common nutrient deficiencies (ie a lack of nitrogen, magnesium or boron) with Eric Hanson, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture Michigan State University.The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com. This show goes out LIVE on the last Tuesday of every month at 1.00 pm Eastern Time. After that you can download the podcast. To tune in LIVE (and submit your questions to our expert guests!) you can:Tune into RealityRadio101.com during the time of the live showOR watch the livestream on the Orchard People YouTube ChannelDo you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/. (00:00) - Introduction (00:45) - Identifying Nutritional Deficiencies in Trees (01:21) - Guest Introduction: Eric Hansen (02:20) - Soil Testing and Its Limitations (06:31) - Tissue Testing for Nutrient Deficiencies (09:09) - Visual Diagnosis of Nutrient Deficiencies (10:55) - Nitrogen Deficiency in Fruit Trees (17:05) - Potassium Deficiency Symptoms (20:37) - Magnesium Deficiency in Orchards (23:59) - Understanding Manganese Deficiency (29:16) - Commercial Break and Sponsor Messages (32:58) - Introduction and Contact Information (33:31) - Interview with Eric Hansen: Nutritional Deficiencies in Fruit Trees (33:56) - Boron Deficiency in Fruit Trees (44:05) - Zinc Deficiency in Fruit Trees (50:35) - Iron Deficiency in Fruit Trees (56:26) - Holistic Approaches to Tree Nutrition (01:00:05) - Conclusion and Additional Resources

Learn how beneficial nematodes can control orchard pests including plum curculio and Japanese beetles with entomologist David Shapiro-Ilan at the Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory in Byron in this episode of the Orchard People radio show and podcast. The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com. This show goes out LIVE on the last Tuesday of every month at 1.00 pm Eastern Time. After that you can download the podcast. To tune in LIVE (and submit your questions to our expert guests!) you can:Tune into RealityRadio101.com during the time of the live showOR watch the livestream on the Orchard People YouTube ChannelDo you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/. More Beneficial Nematode Resources here:CornellCALS Insect Killing Nematodes ArticleNematodes as Model Organisms A sustainable grower-based method for entomopathogenic nematode production