Stella Otto got her first taste for fruit growing during annual family outings to the U-pick orchards of western Massachusetts. Following receipt of a B.S. in horticulture from Michigan State University, she worked at one of the largest tree fruit nurseries in the U.S and a major tart cherry orchard near Traverse City, Michigan, the cherry capitol of the world. She and her husband eventually started their own diversified fruit farm in northern Michigan, to which a wizened, fruit-farming friend chuckled, “They’ll have some experiences.” Indeed, they did, both learning and laughable. Stella has authored two books, the award-winning “The Backyard Orchardist: A complete guide to growing fruit trees in the home garden” and “The Backyard Berry Book: A hands-on guide to growing berries, brambles, and vine fruit in the home garden”. She has written freelance articles for numerous magazines, appeared on the Discovery Channel, and been interviewed on National Public Radio and other gardening radio programs. Stella presently cultivates a fruitful family garden and enjoys her horses and cats on a 10-acre homestead in northern Michigan. She can also be found cultivating fruit gardening information on LinkedIn.
Copies of the newly updated and expanded edition of “The Backyard Orchardist: A complete guide to growing fruit trees in the home garden” are available at the Stella Otto Author Page.
Contributions
Overcome the Challenges of Growing Peaches - Few fruit say summer quite like a tree-ripe peach, dripping juice down your chin and hands all the way to your elbows. Although you are unlikely to find this perfect peach at the grocery store… More
