Growing Urban Orchards (The Complete Fruit Tree Grower’s Collection)

Want to grow fruit trees in your yard, garden, or community — but not sure where to start?

When Susan Poizner first planted fruit trees in a public park in her Toronto neighborhood, she had big dreams — and no idea what she was doing. She figured she was being “organic” by avoiding toxic sprays. What she didn’t realize was that her trees were underfed, unpruned, and under stress from pests and disease.

She made mistakes. A lot of them. But she also rolled up her sleeves, did the research, talked to experts, and discovered what fruit trees really need to thrive — even in urban spaces.

Growing Urban Orchards is the story of that journey, told in Susan’s warm, original voice. It’s packed with practical lessons for anyone planting fruit trees in city yards, suburban lots, community gardens, school projects, or public parks.

Inside you’ll learn:

How fruit trees grow — and why they need more care than you might expect

How to choose the right fruit trees for your climate and space

Tips for planting, mulching, and feeding trees naturally

What to expect in the first years — and how to avoid common pitfalls

Why pruning matters, and how to do it without fear

Organic pest and disease prevention that actually works

Real-life insights from building a thriving community orchard

Now used as a training guide in horticulture programs, urban orchard projects, and nonprofit initiatives across North America, Growing Urban Orchards is a friendly, story-driven introduction to sustainable fruit tree care.

Since publishing this book in 2014, Susan Poizner has become a trusted educator in fruit tree care. Through her award-winning courses and podcast at OrchardPeople.com, and her other books — Grow Fruit Trees Fast , Fruit Tree Pruning , and Fruit Tree Grafting for Everyone — she’s helped thousands of growers around the world learn how to plant, prune, feed, and protect their trees with confidence.

If you’re planting fruit trees for the first time — or helping others learn how — this book is your best first step.