Orchard People

Explore what soil biology can reveal about fruit tree health - and how compost, mulch, root-zone conditions, observation, and ongoing care can help fruit trees thrive.

Susan visits two community orchards in Peterborough, Ontario, with Christina Balint of GreenUP, where trees planted around roughly the same time are growing very differently. With soil microscopy expert Derek Barbe, they investigate what might be happening beneath the trees. 

Resources from our guests:

Christina Balint | GreenUP

The orchards featured in this episode are part of a larger network of community orchards cared for by volunteers with support from GreenUP and community partners.

Peterborough Community Orchard Stewards

Read Christina's story: Peterborough's community orchards are growing more than fruit

Explore GreenUP volunteer opportunities

Support GreenUP's work

Derek Barbe | Soil microscopy

For those interested in exploring soil biology further, Derek recommends:

Soil Food Web Certified Listing Directory — find a practitioner near you

For those interested in going deeper, Derek also recommends this resource featuring Dr. Elaine Ingham, founder of the Soil Food Web School:

Explore Derek's recommended Soil Food Web resource

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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://orchardpeople.com/books/

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

📺 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 "Why do some fruit trees thrive while others struggle?" and find the video and podcast links there too! 

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✍️ 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 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/

WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:

📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:

https://orchardpeople.com/books/

🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other Products

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! 

We often think about watering, pruning, and fertilizing when a fruit tree struggles. 

In this Classic Episode, Dr. Glynn Percival explores another possibility: compacted soil. 
Learn what vertical mulching is, when it may help, and why healthy roots begin with healthy soil.

Dr. Glynn Percival is a Senior Arboricultural Research Manager at Bartlett Tree Experts in the UK.

You can download Glynn's PowerPoint presentation referred to in the show by clicking here.

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://www.orchardpeople.com/books

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

📺 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 "Vertical Mulching for Fruit Trees: When Surface Mulch Isn't Enough" and find the video and podcast links there too! 

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✍️ 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 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/

WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:

📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:

https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other Products

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! 

In this classic Orchard People podcast episode, explore why some fruit trees grow vigorously while others struggle for years before producing fruit, with fruit tree physiologist John Cline about the science behind fruit tree growth, productivity, and early fruiting.

John Cline Ph.D, is a professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture, at the University of Guelph in Ontario.

Together, they explore how rootstocks, pruning, branch training, soil conditions, sunlight, watering, and tree genetics all influence how quickly fruit trees establish and produce harvests.

This conversation originally helped inspire Susan’s book Grow Fruit Trees Fast and remains one of Orchard People’s foundational discussions on young fruit tree care.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between vigor and precocity
• Why some fruit tree varieties grow faster than others
• How rootstocks affect tree size and productivity
• Why branch bending can encourage earlier fruiting
• When pruning stimulates growth — and when it delays harvests
• How soil, sunlight, and irrigation influence tree health
• Common mistakes that slow young fruit trees down

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/books

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

📺 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 "Fertilizing Fruit Trees: Why Water Matters More Than You Think" 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 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/

WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:

📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:

https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other Products

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! 

Learn how watering and feeding fruit trees work together with arborist, author, and educator Casey Clapp on this episode of the Orchard People Radio Show.

Casey is the co-host of Completely Arbortrary and an arborist based in Portland, Oregon.

Learn more:

https://caseyclapp.com
https://arbortrarypod.com
https://www.gofundme.com/manage/yearofthecone

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/books

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

📺 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 "Fertilizing Fruit Trees: Why Water Matters More Than You Think" 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 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/

WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:

📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:

https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other Products

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!

What do all those numbers on a soil test actually mean?

In this episode of the Orchard People podcast, Susan Poizner speaks with soil educator Ariel Agenbroad about how to read a soil test for fruit trees and how to interpret results like pH, organic matter, nitrogen, and electrical conductivity.

Extension Professor Ariel Agenbroad has been working with urban farmers, gardeners and community members for over 18 years through University of Idaho Extension. Her love of plants, people and the natural world shape her programs and her approach to education. She is currently involved with a community orchard at Spaulding Ranch, a one of a kind historic agricultural park owned by the City of Boise.

Together, they explore how soil tests can guide your decisions—without overcorrecting or rushing to “fix” your soil.

You’ll learn:

•  how to interpret soil test results in context 
•  why pH matters for nutrient availability 
•  what organic matter levels really tell you 
•  why nitrogen is difficult to measure accurately 
•  how to build healthier soil over time 

If you’re just getting started, you may also want to check out the podcast on how to evaluate your soil before planting fruit trees, also with Ariel.

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

📺 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.

IS READING YOUR THING?

🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace. 

🌐 Article: Read the companion article linked to the show "How to Read a Soil Test for Fruit Trees: What Your Results Really Tell You" and find the video and podcast links there too! 

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/books

✍️ 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/. 

Additional Resources on this topic:

Managing Cover Crops Profitably: https://www.sare.org/resources/managing-cover-crops-profitably-3rd-edition/ (available free online or in print)

Cover Cropping for Beneficials Guide: https://www.sare.org/resources/cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects/

Oregon State University Cover Crop Calculator: https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/calculator

Compilation of Washington State University Organic Orchard Floor Management resources, including Cover Cropping: https://tfrec.cahnrs.wsu.edu/organicag/tree-fruit/orchard-floor-management/

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/

WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:

📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:

https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other Products

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!

Learn how to evaluate your soil before planting fruit trees with Ariel Agenbroad, Area extension educator in community food systems and small farms at the University of Idaho Extension, Boise, Idaho, on this episode of the Orchard People Radio Podcast.

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/books

She is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

📺 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.

IS READING YOUR THING?

🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace. 

🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Evaluate Your Soil Before Planting Fruit Trees" 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.orchaCheckingrdpeople.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/

WHERE TO BUY FRUIT TREE CARE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS:

📗Buy Fruit Tree Care Books (including Susan's books) Here:

https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

🪚Buy Fruit Tree Pruning Tools and Other Products

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!

How do you grow healthy, productive fruit trees — without guesswork? In this trailer, Susan Poizner introduces the Orchard People Podcast and explains how the show helps home growers, gardeners, and orchardists understand their trees and grow organic fruit trees with confidence.

For over 10 years, Susan has interviewed leading experts and orchardists from around the world, sharing practical, science-based advice on pruning, watering, soil care, pest and disease prevention, choosing varieties, and more. This teaser will show you what the podcast is all about and where to begin.

New episodes will appear from time to time, but the real treasure is the evergreen library — packed with conversations you can return to again and again as your trees grow.

Listen, learn, and enjoy your fruit trees.

Sign up for updates: OrchardPeople.com/sign-up

Explore more resources: OrchardPeople.com

Learn how to choose the right fruit trees for real communities in real climates with James Kaechele, an ISA Certified Master Arborist and Program Arborist at the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF). FTPF is a nonprofit organization that plants orchards across the United States and around the world.

Also, consider joining Susan's Book Development Team if you are passionate about fruit trees and would love to help shape her new books.

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://orchardpeople.com/books

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

The 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.

IS READING YOUR THING?

🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace.

🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Best Fruit Trees to Grow: Choosing the Right Trees for Your Climate (Warm, Cold & Tropical)" 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 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/

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 the Best Fruit Tree Question

Join Susan on a "live tour" and explore how fruit tree heritage and culture continue to thrive in the United Kingdom, in this episode of the Orchard People Radio Show.

This journey will show you how fruit trees are ingrained into the culture and history: 

• The historic town of Ludlow
• Formal collections and sustainable gardening practices at the RHS Garden Wisley
• Fruit tree training and design featuring various forms of espalier, at the Newt in Somerset
• Regenerative growing and rare heritage varieties at Chiltern Heritage Orchard
• Cooperative farming and growing at the Highbridge Community Farm

Also, consider joining Susan's Book Development Team if you are passionate about fruit trees.
Gain access to audio diaries, ask questions, and an early copy when it's ready!

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://orchardpeople.com/books

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

The 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.

IS READING YOUR THING?

🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace.

🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Fruit Tree Garden Tour: Exploring Sustainable Gardening, Espalier, Regenerative Orchard & Community Farming" 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 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/

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 to the UK's Fruit Tree Heritage

Join Susan on a "live tour" in search for fruit tree wisdom and inspiration, and learn how new apple cultivars are developed, with Steph Dunn James of Frank P Matthews Nursery, in this episode of the Orchard People Radio Show.

The Frank P Matthews Nursery is a family-run and Plant Healthy certified business that has been growing fruit trees and serving customers since 1901 (more than 120 years!) in Worcestershire, UK.

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://orchardpeople.com/books

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

The 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.

IS READING YOUR THING?

🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace.

🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Where to Buy Fruit Trees? Choose a Specialist Fruit Tree Nursery Near You" 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 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/

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 Overview