Resources for British Columbia
This collection of resources is just starting. My initial goal is to provide a wide range of information of use to fruit tree gardeners in Coastal British Columbia. Your recommendations of other resources are welcome.
BC Commercial Orchard Pest and Disease Resources
BC Ministry of Agriculture Tree Fruit Pests and Diseases
This is a group of BC Ministry of Agriculture articles that contain information on identification and management of insect and mite pests and plant diseases of tree fruit crops in British Columbia.
BC Tree Fruit Commercial Production Guide – Insects and Mites
This tree fruit insect and mite resource is part of the online BC Tree Fruit Production Guide This guide is the primary resource for commercial orchadists in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Creston Valleys in the BC Interior. The control recommendations are both conventional and organic. All the pesticides recommended are labeled ‘Commercial’ or ‘Agricultural’ and you will not be able to purchase them without a Pesticide Applicator Certificate or a BC Farmer ID Card (check with the business selling the pesticides if this is acceptable).
BC Tree Fruit Commercial Production Guide – Diseases
This tree fruit disease resource is part of the online BC Tree Fruit Production Guide This guide is the primary resource for commercial orchadists in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Creston Valleys in the BC Interior. The control recommendations are both conventional and organic. All the pesticides recommended are labeled ‘Commercial’ or ‘Agricultural’ and you will not be able to purchase them without a Pesticide Applicator Certificate or a BC Farmer ID Card (check with the business selling the pesticides if this is acceptable).
Sterile Insect Release Program – Codling Moth
This resource is designed for commercial orchardists located in BC Interior areas covered by this program. There is a significant amount of information of value to all home and commercial orchardists.
BC Garden and Home Orchard Pest and Disease Resources
Online Home & Garden Pest Management Guide For British Columbia 2019 Edition
Chapter 2 Identification of Plant Problems
Proper identification of plant pests and diseases is an important step before attempting to control the pest. This PDF document deals with how to identify plant problems are caused by living organisms. These include damage caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, insects and other pests.
Chapter 9 Plant Disorders Not Caused by Pests (Abiotic Disorders)
Many plant disorders are not caused by living organisms and cannot be transmitted from plant to plant. This PDF document deals with these disorders sometimes called abiotic disorders, physiological disorders, or non-pathogenic disorders.
Chapter 13 Pests of Fruit Trees
This a chapter of the guide broader Home and Garden Guide. This PDF document describes insect and disease problems of fruit trees. Management information in this document describes preventative and cultural measures that may control the pest. Sometimes the management information also mentions pesticides. When more than one pesticide is mentioned, the least toxic pesticide is listed first. Before using a pesticide read and follow label directions, including the precautions, rates and days-to-harvest. See the PDF
“Pesticide Table” in Appendix I for information on available home garden pesticides. Also see Chapter 8 “Using Pesticides to Manage Pests”. It contains important safety information.
Home & Garden Pest Management Guide for British Columbia
The Home and Garden Pest Management Guide provides information on identification and management of pests, diseases and weeds in the home and garden, with emphasis on pest prevention and Integrated Pest Management.
This publication:
- Includes information on over 400 common pests and diseases of fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and lawns, and how to manage them;
- Contains hundreds of photographs of plant pests and weeds to aid with identification
- See the multiple PDF documents here
Organic Tree Fruit Management - BC Organic Production Guide for Commercial Orchardists ( Published 1998)
In this guide you will find numerous references and solutions to potential problems that may arise during to organic growing. You will find information on organic pest and disease management, soil fertility and nutrition in tree fruits and management tools available to the organic grower. More complete than most handbooks, this guide also includes information on Getting the Right Fruit Set, Planting and Re-planting and Harvest Guidelines. If you are a conventional farmer in transition to organic methods, or if you are considering organic growing as an option, you will find this guide essential. This book is available for purchase from the Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia (COABC) Web site.
Natural Insect, Weed & Disease Control - Book by Linda Gilkeson
This is a great resource for organic fruit gardeners and orchardists in BC and the US Pacific Northwest. This completely revised and expanded edition has over 140 detailed entries (35 new insects and diseases have been added to this edition) with updated information on safe, effective methods. Companion web pages display the colour versions of over 200 book illustrations plus additional photographs of pest and diseases.
To purchased see Linda’s Website
Organic Tree Fruit Production in BC - For commercial orchardists
It is possible to grow tree fruits organically that are equal in quantity and quality to conventional produce. The areas included in this web page may require management changes by conventional tree fruit growers in order for them to become certified as organic producers.
BC Guide To Managing Tree Fruit Pests in the Home Garden
This PDF document is about the common fruit tree pests of home gardens in British Columbia and how to control them.
British Columbia Fruit Testers Association
BCFTA is a not for profit organization of people who share an interest in the science and cultivation of fruit bearing trees, shrubs, vines and plants. Members range from backyard hobbyists to professionals. Through the organization, members can share information, participate in meetings and organized field trips, and keep abreast of association events and other fruit news through a regular newsletter.
NW Fruit (aka Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation)
NW Fruit maintains a 6 acre public fruit garden at the Washington State University Research and Extension Center (NWREC) located in Mount Vernon, WA. This organization is focused on supporting research into and public education about the special fruit growing concerns of the Pacific Northwest. See their website for a map of the garden and a list of events. The climate conditions at Mount Vernon are much like Coastal British Columbia.
Seattle Tree Fruit Society - A Chapter of the Western Cascade Fruit Society
A Non-Profit Educational Organization
of Home Orchardists and Fruit Culture Hobbyists. STFS brings together amateur growers – beginners to experts – from the Greater Seattle area who share an interest in growing fruit and nut trees, berries, kiwis, grapes, and other fruit. We offer information on adapted varieties, up-to-the-minute growing techniques, and share our own experiences growing fruit. See the STFS website for more information.
Cloud Mountain Farm Center - Washington State
Cloud Mountain Farm Center is a nonprofit teaching production farm located in Everson, Washington State a 15 min. drive from the Abbotsford/Sumas Border Crossing. This farm started as a 22 acre apple orchard and garlic farm, and expanding into vegetable crops and nursery production. Cloud Mountain hosts many fruit tree workshops utilizing their commercial plantings of apples, peaches, cherries and many other tree fruit.