Orchard Consultations

with Michael Phillips

Michael offers a private consultation service for people seeking insight into successful orcharding. Regular updates on growing organic apples are available on Michael's Organic Orcharding page as well.

Apple Doctorin'

Pruning apple trees is one of the rites of spring. Michael provides a custom pruning service within a ninety mile radius of Lost Nation Orchard for people who want professional work done on their trees. Feel free to ask "anything apple" as pertains to the health of your trees while the pruning gets done. This service costs a flat $48 per hour, including travel time.

Homesteading Consultation

Folks new to orcharding can get mentoring from the get go. We'll look at planting intentions and pruning technique on a site visit, and follow that up with a comprehensive set of recommendations that fits the time you envision having available for orcharding. Sound advice on cultivars, rootstocks, and soil fertility needs can make a big difference in the home orchard. A Homesteading Consultation ($375 plus travel expenses) includes one site visit, a task checklist for your specific location and pest challenges, feedback on any questions that your personal orchard report generates, and the latest edition of The Apple Grower.

Commercial Apple Consultation

Apple growers with a bearing orchard -- as well as small-scale farmers considering adding tree fruit to their crop mix -- can contract with Michael for an ongoing consultation. We'll discuss planting plans, rootstock and variety choices, transitioning to organic management, and insights into understory & soil health on the first time site visit. Having soil test results and spray records available beforehand can be a big help. Fine-tuning insect and disease dynamics for a specific locale is a big part of the commercial package. Equally important is understanding how the scale of a fruit growing operation ties into community market potential. You'll receive a detailed written report based on this site visit. Then, throughout a full growing season, you can phone and email Michael to answer all those burning questions that come up. A Commercial Apple Consultation ($750 plus travel expenses) includes a first time site visit, a comprehensive orchard management plan, additional check-ins if desired ($200 plus travel expenses), 'What's Ahead' outlooks sent by email, the latest edition of The Apple Grower, and season long availability of Michael to ask detailed questions. Subsequent years can be added to this package at a cost of $600 per year.

All About Organic Orcharding

• An Intelligent Paradigm
• My Apple Orchard by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Honoring the Orchard Ecosystem 
• Holistic Disease Management
• The Kaolin Clay Strategy
• The Lepidoptera Complex
• Borer Insights
• The Sustainable Orchard 
• Seasonal Checklist for the Home Orchardist
• Apple Grower Links: online resources for the organic orchardist
• Apple Grower Network Research Pages 
• Organic Orchard Consultation