Webinar Schedule and Participant Guide
Webinar Schedule
In 2025, this course will be offered live for 6-weeks on Thursdays from 6:30 - 8:30 PM (Eastern) from February 27 – April 3. We will also be offering two additional webinars on two Mondays this year, March 17 and March 24, at the same time. While we encourage live attendance, so you have the opportunity to engage with presenters and ask questions, all webinars are recorded and posted in the online classroom to watch anytime. You will also retain access to all materials indefinitely and can return to participate in the live webinars in future offerings of the course if you wish. 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