Preface
PART 1: THE BASICS
1. Why Small Scale, Small Fruits?
— Why small fruit growing? — How and where to start? — Understanding current climate challenges — Small fruits to the rescue — Why micro fruit farming? — Limitations of small fruit growing — Maximize profits by being the workforce— The future of small and micro farming
2. 21st Century Strategic Planning
— Planning it out — How to research — Evaluating agricultural profit forecasts — Understanding your bioregion and regional climate — Choosing cultivars — How many plants?— Pollination
3. Sourcing Plants and Navigating the 21st Century Nursery Scene
— Sourcing plants and plant material — Sources to avoid — Organic or conventional? — Navigating the nursery scene — Quality nurseries
4. Creating Beds
— Creating space for small fruits to thrive — Mechanical tillage — No-till options — Spacing — Managing walkways — Stale bedding — Planting the beds — Planting in rows— Cover cropping
5. Managing Soil Fertility Organically
— Practical considerations — Soluble and insoluble organic fertilizers — Animal-product based fertilizers — Vegan plant-based fertilizers — Mineral fertilizers — Compost and manures — Consider the impacts — Applying organic fertilizers— Unlocking latent soil fertility
6. Planting Successfully
— Handling and inspecting nursery stock — Storing dormant plants — Effectively handling cuttings — Pre-planting preparations — Proper planting practices— Post-planting care
7. Organic Weed Management
— Using permanent grass cover — Mulch — Landscape fabric — Flame weeding — Plant Guilds
8. Tools of the Trade
9. Maintenance, Protection, and Organic Pest Control
— Integrated Pest Management (IPM) — Insect management — Common animal pests — Frost protection
PART 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FRUIT ALLIES
10. Blackberries
— Types of modern blackberries — Site considerations — Cultivation — Fertilizing — Mulch and irrigation — Pests/Diseases/Challenges — Harvest — Marketing— Recommended cultivars
11. Blueberries
— Species — Cultivation — Planting — Weed control — Irrigation — Pruning — Pests/Diseases/Challenges — Cultivars (by region)— Harvesting and marketing
12. Raspberries
— Species — Cultivation — Irrigation — Pruning — Thinning — Trellising — Mulch— Propagation — Pests/Diseases/Challenges — Marketing— Cultivars
13. Strawberries
— Cultivation — Growing Methods — Thinning — Planting — Irrigation — Harvesting — Marketing — Pests/Diseases/Challenges— Cultivars
14. Juneberries
— Cultivation — Best species by region — Irrigation — Pests/Diseases/Challenges — Marketing— Cultivars
15. Muscadine Grapes
— Cultivation — Irrigation — Pollination — Pests and diseases — Marketing— Cultivars
16. Mulberries
— Species of mulberries — Cultivation — Irrigation — Potential for commercial production — Harvesting — Pests/Diseases/Challenges — Marketing— The future of mulberries— Recommended cultivars
17. Gooseberries
— Cultivation — Irrigation — Pests and diseases — Harvesting — Marketing— Recommended cultivars
18. Currants
— Cultivation — Irrigation — Pests and diseases — Harvesting — Marketing— Cultivars
19. Figs
— Cultivation — Cold region (USDA zones 5–7) — Understanding high tunnel fig growing — Warm region (USDA zones 8–10) — Harvesting
— Marketing — Pests and diseases— Cultivars
20. Tomatoes
— Cultivation — Pests and diseases — Irrigation — Marketing— Cultivars
21. Other Small Fruits Worthy of Consideration ...Or Not
— Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) — Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) and Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora) — Bush and Nanking Cherries
— Kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) — Cactus Fruits — Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) — Hardy Passionfruit (Passiflora incarnata) — Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) — Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) — Goji (Lycium barbarum) — Hybrid Cane Berries — Rosehips — Seaberry/sea buckthorn(Hippophae rhamnoides) — Munson Grapes — Che (Maclura tricuspidata) — Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea)
PART 3: HARVESTING, MARKETING, AND THE FUTURE
22. Harvesting and Post-Harvesting
— Harvest efficiency— Protecting, storing, and chilling
23. Market Planning and Strategies
— Direct marketing methods
24. The Future of Small Fruit Growing
— Climate change and fruit growing— Rescuing the genetic pool by selecting your own local cultivars
25. Interviews with Successful Small Fruit Market Growers
26. Conclusion
Appendix: Jivamritam
Notes
Resources
Index
About the Author
About New Society Publishers
