Webinar Schedule and Participant Guide
Webinar Schedule
Live instruction for 2025 has concluded. You are welcome to complete this course on a self-paced schedule and join our next live session in Winter 2026. All webinars are recorded and posted here in your online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely and may return to participate in future live offerings of the course as well. Please join us!
To access the webinars during our next live session, you will simply need to click on the webinar join link that is posted in the Weekly Resources section of this course. This link only works on the appointed day and time for the webinar, so while you can try clicking it sooner, it won't open the webinar meeting for you.
You may also join our webinars from a mobile device by installing the official Zoom app from your preferred app store. Then, when it's time for a webinar, simply open your Zoom app and enter the 9-digit meeting ID that will be posted along with the webinar link.
Weekly Topics
Week 1: Introduction, tree fruit botany, orchard venture analysis and business planning
Topics covered: Course overview, tree fruit botany and pollination requirements, evaluation of orchard goals, business planning
Week 2: Site evaluation, ground prep, and establishment
Topics covered: Site considerations for orchards, pre-planting site modifications
Week 3: Varieties, rootstocks, and training systems
Topics covered: Appropriate fruit cultivars and rootstocks for the region and market, review of orchard training systems
Week 4: Cultural management considerations (2 Lectures)
Topics covered: 4A -Low density pruning and training, basics of thinning, nutrient management, grafting. 4B - High density pruning and training, detailed chemical thinning, irrigation management, trellis construction.
Week 5: Integrated Pest Management (2 Lectures)
Topics covered: Sustainable management of insect pests, tree diseases and weeds in the orchard
Week 6: Harvest and Marketing
Topics covered: Ripening physiology, harvest planning, cold storage, marketing your fruit