This classic pamphlet (written in 1956) presents Pfeiffer’s guidance for treating fruit trees, berries, and shrubs. This advice is tremendously useful for growers since tree biology is, as Pfeiffer stated, “entirely different from that of an annual or biennial plant.”

Topics covered in this very useful and practical text include:

• Soil preparation for planting
• Planting and selection
• Pruning
• Tree care
• Applying the preparations
• Organic sprays and biological controls
• Orchard fertilization
• Green manuring and cover crops
• Polyculture
• Crown drip and the root system
• Diseases
• Berries

Excerpts:
“We see the biological advantage of a mixed stand in a forest, where hard woods and soft woods together grow better and produce better humus than a monoculture. The roots penetrate into different strata of soil and support rather than compete with one another. Also there are various beneficial and antagonistic interactions between root systems, even between the trees and the annual plants which grow around them.”

“Contrary to the erroneous belief that [berries] will ‘do by themselves] and therefore need no specific attention, berries require much cultivation, i.e., well cultivated, aerated soil, and good fertilization. Berries belong to the group of heavy feeders. Well-rotted manure and rich compost is only just good enough for them.”

Author: Ehrenfried Pfeiffer
Paperback: booklet, 30 pages
Publisher: Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association (2007)
Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 inches