Fruits for Artisan Urban Agriculture

This course will provide the student with a broad knowledge of fruit production while using a major project to build on specific interests throughout the term. New urban and ethnic markets have created demand for new fruit types and varieties. The course will explore what markets have thrived in the past, what have failed, and what the future may hold. The student will come away with an appreciation of how basic nutrition, water & soil conditions, and localized microclimates impact fruit production in Ontario. Mainstream and organic production practices are covered in parallel as topics are developed. The two hour lab is spent in the greenhouse, lab, field or as extra lecture time as appropriate from week to week. Fruits covered include, but not be limited to, apples, cherries, strawberries, currants, raspberries, grapes and high bush blueberries.