The 2023 Know Your Roots Orcharding Webinar Series
Holistic Pomology: What’s It All About?
The Know Your Roots Orcharding Webinar Series: “Holistic Pomology: What’s It All About?” which was recorded in 2023 is still available for purchase. It covers many aspects of holistic orchard management with an organic and cosmic flavor. It includes material focusing primarily on apples, but touching on other perennial fruit crops, as well as plants and herbs that support ecological function within the farmscape.
Cost: $5 per class
If you have any questions or comment please email mike@knowyouroots.com
Cost: $5 per class
If you have any questions or comment please email mike@knowyouroots.com
The Promise of Biodynamics
This webinar will be focused on the basis and use of the biodynamic calendar. Biodynamic farming is rooted in the basic principle “As Above, So Below, “meaning, of course, that our farms and orchards are reflections of the cosmic archetype. The cosmic archetype is simply how the planets and stars align in the skies above. These alignments have cosmic implications for how Earth, our farms and orchards, the food we grow, all life, and ourselves. They also have implications for the practical activities that take place in all orchards and farms. What this means to how you do things now – in other words how you can align your farming practices with the cosmos – can be complicated yet is not rocket science. That’s where the biodynamic calendar comes in. During this webinar we’ll demystify the biodynamic calendar and relate what it means on a cosmic scale to you and your orchard.
Cost: $5
This webinar will be focused on the basis and use of the biodynamic calendar. Biodynamic farming is rooted in the basic principle “As Above, So Below, “meaning, of course, that our farms and orchards are reflections of the cosmic archetype. The cosmic archetype is simply how the planets and stars align in the skies above. These alignments have cosmic implications for how Earth, our farms and orchards, the food we grow, all life, and ourselves. They also have implications for the practical activities that take place in all orchards and farms. What this means to how you do things now – in other words how you can align your farming practices with the cosmos – can be complicated yet is not rocket science. That’s where the biodynamic calendar comes in. During this webinar we’ll demystify the biodynamic calendar and relate what it means on a cosmic scale to you and your orchard.
Cost: $5
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the Holistic Grower
An introduction to the art and science of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from a holistic and biodynamic perspective. We will discuss the basics of IPM in principle and practice, including the use of historical data, observations, pheromone trap monitoring, degree-day modeling, and weather forecasts. We’ll discuss the various tools and technology available to everyone as we triangulate the IPM cornerstones of observation, technology, and practical solutions, all with the perspective that technology is just one piece of the puzzle and there is more at play in your orchard than the eye can see.
Cost: $5
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the Holistic Grower
An introduction to the art and science of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from a holistic and biodynamic perspective. We will discuss the basics of IPM in principle and practice, including the use of historical data, observations, pheromone trap monitoring, degree-day modeling, and weather forecasts. We’ll discuss the various tools and technology available to everyone as we triangulate the IPM cornerstones of observation, technology, and practical solutions, all with the perspective that technology is just one piece of the puzzle and there is more at play in your orchard than the eye can see.
Cost: $5
Common Diseases of Apple Trees and Fruit
An in-depth look at the major early season tree fruit diseases of apples (Malus spp.). We’ll describe and discuss the life cycles, epidemiology, management, and control options for apple scab, fireblight, cedar apple rust, powdery mildew, and Marssonina leaf botch. We will also include a discussion of some of the lesser-known diseases such as viruses and root rots. There will be ample time focused on nematodes as disease vectors and biotic stress factors.
Cost: $5
Common Diseases of Apple Trees and Fruit
An in-depth look at the major early season tree fruit diseases of apples (Malus spp.). We’ll describe and discuss the life cycles, epidemiology, management, and control options for apple scab, fireblight, cedar apple rust, powdery mildew, and Marssonina leaf botch. We will also include a discussion of some of the lesser-known diseases such as viruses and root rots. There will be ample time focused on nematodes as disease vectors and biotic stress factors.
Cost: $5
Carrying Capacity - Managing Crop Load for Quality Apples and Consistent Production
Did you know that if you tried to grow an apple from every single blossom that the tree would literally break? The reality is that you only need about 15-20% of all the flowers to set fruit for a good crop. Not only is it easier on the tree, but overall fruit quality and consistent return bloom is ensured. Yet, the period for adjusting or thinning the crop load to ensure quality fruit production, healthy trees, and return bloom lasts for only a few weeks after bloom. In this webinar, we will discuss the various approaches you can use for managing crop load, including cultural and organic spray options.
Cost: $5
Tree Fruit Physiology – The Basics
What is actually going on inside the tree? Photosynthesis, respiration, plant growth hormones, immune systems, and water relations all play a role in the health and proper functioning of the tree. Yet, photosynthesis is more than just leaves turning sunlight into sugars, and respiration is more than photosynthesis’ polar opposite. Each of these interrelated physiological functions could be a course unto itself, so we will only be able to cover the scientific basics. Each physiological topic will be discussed considering their practical aspects in the orchard and how they relate to a successful holistic and biodynamic orchard ecosystem.
Cost: $5
Tree Fruit Physiology – The Basics
What is actually going on inside the tree? Photosynthesis, respiration, plant growth hormones, immune systems, and water relations all play a role in the health and proper functioning of the tree. Yet, photosynthesis is more than just leaves turning sunlight into sugars, and respiration is more than photosynthesis’ polar opposite. Each of these interrelated physiological functions could be a course unto itself, so we will only be able to cover the scientific basics. Each physiological topic will be discussed considering their practical aspects in the orchard and how they relate to a successful holistic and biodynamic orchard ecosystem.
Cost: $5
Let It Grow! Soils, Fertility, and Plant Nutrition
Soils are the foundation of any farm or orchard. Without healthy soils, plants won’t thrive and you can’t raise nutrient dense food. In this session, we’ll discuss the basics of soils, what makes them up, what supports them, how they support you, and basically digging into the fact that soils are more than just dirt. Soil biology, chemistry, nutrition, fertility, and ways to revitalize and balance used and abused soils. This is a highly recommended precursor to the Microbial Connection.
Cost: $5
The Microbial Connection
There is little doubt that the foundation of any farm or orchard is the soil on which is stands. Yet for far too long most agricultural scientists have looked at soil as something dead; a combination of sand, silt, clay an gravel made of inert ingredients that we’re nothing more than physical substance for the tree to stand in and feed off of. The last 20 years have opened entire microbial worlds to us and their importance to nature and managed ecosystems. As such we stand at the vanguard of a new period in our agricultural existence. But what does this mean to the health and vitality of your orchard. Learn about the microbial world in your orchard and what you can do to enhance its diversity and health in your orchard.
Cost: $5
Bug Off! Spring Insect Pests of Apple Trees and Fruit
Insect pests can provide some of the most confounding and confusing problems for a holistic orchardist. From mites and scale to codling moth and plum curculio, each insect pest has a unique life cycle, level of importance, and effective control strategy. We’ll discuss this and more including the use of beneficial insects, biological organisms, and biodynamic peppering to understand and control the major early season insect pests of any apple orchard.
Cost: $5
Beyond Apples: Nurturing a Diverse Ecosystem
In a conventional sense, an orchard is reduced to tree and grass between the rows. Diversity is discouraged as focus is on apple production at the highest levels. Yet without this diversity, reliance on synthetic inputs to fight the inevitable disease and insect pressure is paramount to success. In a holistic setting we are trying to grow an orchard that is more than just the trees and fruit. In this webinar we will discuss the myriad plants you can use and encourage in your orchard to help support the primary crop: apples. We’ll discuss ecosystem design and function, the myriad understory plants and their functions, their utility, and ultimately what they mean to overall health of your orchard and You!
Cost: $5
Moths, Larva, and Spores, Oh My!
We’re close to the midpoint of the season. Now it’s time to investigate summer insect pests and diseases. We’ll throw in a good dose of summer fertility considerations. The insect pests we’ll cover include mites, codling moth, Obliquebanded leafroller, borers, and more. We’ll also delve into summer diseases and fruit rots that can also take hold as we round the bend and head for home during pre-harvest season. We’ll discuss life cycles, ecological and economic importance, and more including the use of beneficial insects, biological organisms, and biodynamic practices to understand and control these apple orchard insects and disease pests.
Cost: $5
Moths, Larva, and Spores, Oh My!
We’re close to the midpoint of the season. Now it’s time to investigate summer insect pests and diseases. We’ll throw in a good dose of summer fertility considerations. The insect pests we’ll cover include mites, codling moth, Obliquebanded leafroller, borers, and more. We’ll also delve into summer diseases and fruit rots that can also take hold as we round the bend and head for home during pre-harvest season. We’ll discuss life cycles, ecological and economic importance, and more including the use of beneficial insects, biological organisms, and biodynamic practices to understand and control these apple orchard insects and disease pests.
Cost: $5
Plant Medicines for Plants
Plants contain some of the most powerful chemistry we know of for human health. Its why pharmaceutical companies study them so intensely. But what’s less known is that plants also contain powerful phytochemicals, minerals, and biology that can be used to keep our trees, bushes and vines healthy as well. In this workshop we will focus on four different plants that are proving to have significant impacts on the health and vitality of agricultural crops – and not just from an allopathic perspective. Comfrey, nettles, horsetail, and garlic are the four plants we’ll focus on after giving a general overview of the benefits of plants as plant medicines.
Cost: $5
Getting Ready for Harvest – picking, handling, and storage
You’ve done the hard work, now comes the fun – harvest! Getting prepared for harvest is critical. From the harvest tools, to timing, to handling and storage – all will depend on a keen eye for detail and the ability to get things done efficiently. We’ll discuss different modes of harvest, handling and storage. How to time your harvest exactly right. This will be both a technical and practical understanding of the fruit maturation and ripening process and how to handle fruit whether it is for fresh, processing, cider, or something else.
Cost: $5
Starting Your Orchard
The past year we’ve spent quite a bit of time working with growers to help them properly design a holistic orchard. We’ve borrowed from the permaculture world and applied concepts that allow the orchard to survive and thrive. Even if you don’t have an orchard, but plan on planting one in the near future, this webinar is for you. How you prepare the site and get everything from soils, water, equipment, deer fence, etc. ready is critical to your long-term success. We’ll discuss it all here using real-life examples of new and revitalized orchards. What makes a good orchard site? How do I prepare the soil? Do I need irrigation? What varieties work best? How do I even plant a tree? We’ll cover it all and more.
Cost: $5
Winterizing the Orchard
Harvest is over. The fruit is in the barn – and you’re ready to put the orchard to bed for the winter. Understanding what happens at the tail-end of the season, the things you can do to ensure happy, healthy trees next spring – late season fertility considerations, biodynamic tree paste, vole and critter protection, when you can start pruning, grafting considerations, and more. I’ve always said that the time to start thinking about next year is right after the last apple was picked this year. It’s never too early. So take a breath and we’ll dive right back in!
Cost: $5
Pruning and Training
Whether your trees are 4 or 40 years old, pruning and training trees is some of the critical and fun stuff you’ll do throughout the year. But there are some basic considerations to pay attention to. Pruning and training is as much an art as it is a science. But if you don’t understand the science, then the art suffers. With pruning and training there objectives you are trying to achieve – sunlight, air, architecture, balanced aged wood – that require an understanding of why you make certain cuts before you actually make them. Like everything else we’ve discussed – and why this all “integrated” – pruning and training can both make or break the success of your orchard.
Cost: $5
