As section sizes continue to shrink, he writes, more attention has been given to dwarf trees and the grafting of two or more varieties on one stem. The development of high-health types that need less (or no) spraying has also encouraged people to grow fruit trees, as has increased awareness of the health benefits of fresh produce and the cost savings in growing one's own.
In an easy-to-follow style, Steens emphasises the importance of growing what works in your climate.
He points out that some places have microclimates that enable more to be grown and urges readers to check what grows for others in their immediate area.
Apart from climatic factors - sun, warmth and rain - the soil determines what grows best in a particular spot. Steens discusses the various soil types and what does best on each; for example, blueberries do well in acid peat ground. Whether land slopes or is flat is another consideration and he makes sensible suggestions for dealing with each.
Then it's on to the part of the book that will be most valuable to the majority of readers - an A to Z of fruit varieties. This is a comprehensive treatment of a good range of fruits, although gooseberries, New Zealand cranberry and cape gooseberries are missing, and I would have liked the Latin names included. But varieties are well-covered, as is treatment of pests and diseases, making this soft-cover book one with enough information to satisfy anyone starting an orchard - even if it is a single apple tree.
• Gillian Vine is the Otago Daily Times garden writer.
