Course Goals and Outcomes

Learn how to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies on any fruit tree, anywhere, with this self-study online course.

  • Get to know the most important fruit tree pests and diseases in YOUR region.

  • Learn powerful strategies to control those problems using biological, mechanical, and cultural IPM.

  • Understand how organic fruit tree sprays work, and create your first fruit tree spray schedule.

  • Create a customized IPM workbook that helps you grow organic fruit trees successfully for years to come.

Course Benefits

Orchard People's "IPM for Fruit Trees" course is ideal for beginner and intermediate-level organic growers and includes these features and benefits:

  • Short Videos & Quizzes

    Each module includes short video lessons, quizzes, and assignments for an interactive learning experience.

  • Watch Anytime, Anywhere

    Go through the course at your own pace and take the lessons on your computer, tablet, or mobile device.

  • IPM Record Keeping

    Implement what you've learned as we guide you in creating your own IPM record keeping workbook.

  • Lifetime Access & Updates

    You will have lifetime access to this course and will enjoy unlimited course updates for free.

  • Earn Your Graduate Badge

    Earn a certificate of completion and a badge to display in your email signature, on your website, or on your LinkedIn profile.

  • Completely Risk Free

    If you don’t like what you see, we will offer you a full refund within 30 days of purchasing the course.

Course curriculum

Click the plus signs (+) below to see the lessons in each module. Each video lesson is short and snappy (less than 15 minutes) so you can watch the videos anytime, even during a coffee break!

  • 1

    Introduction to IPM

  • 2

    Non-Chemical IPM

    • 201 Introduction and Worksheets

    • 202 Cultural: Preparing the Site

    • 203 Cultural: Good Habits

    • Cultural IPM Tools Quiz

    • 204 Mechanical: Using and Maintaining Traps

    • 205 Mechanical: Traps for Pest Reduction

    • 206 Mechanical: Traps for Monitoring

    • 207 Fruit Tree Traps eBook

    • 208 Mechanical: Pruning, Sox and Nets

    • Quiz on Mechanical IPM Tools

    • 209 Biological: Boosting Biodiversity

    • 210 Cover Crops

    • 211 Root Stock Choices

    • Quiz on Biological Tools, Cover Crops and Root Stocks

    • Bonus Video: City Fruit Seattle Installing Netting on a Full Sized Tree

    • Module 2 eBook Review (51 pages)
  • 3

    Entomology and Pathology

    • 301 Introduction to Entomology

    • 302 Pest Identification Part 1

    • 303 Pest Identification Part 2

    • Quiz on Pest Life Cycles

    • 304 Pest Identification Part 3

    • 305 Assignment 3: Pest Profiles

    • 306 Symptoms and Signs eBook

    • Quiz on Pest Identification

    • 307 Introduction to Disease

    • 308 Types of Diseases and Assignment 4

    • Quiz on Disease Identification

    • Module 3 eBook Review (44 pages)
  • 4

    Chemical IPM: Using Organic Sprays

    • 401 Introduction to Chemical IPM Module

    • 402 What are Pesticides

    • 403 Organic Spray Options

    • 404 Spray Timing and Phenology

    • Quiz on Spray Timing and Phenology

    • 405 Blossom Phenology eBook and Poster

    • 406 Spray Schedules and Assignment 5

    • 407 Holistic Sprays

    • 408 Susan's Dormant Spray Demonstration

    • Quiz on Spray Schedules

    • 409 Growing Degree Days Part 1

    • 410 Growing Degree Days Part 2

    • 411 Using Your GDD Spreadsheet

    • 412 Downloading Weather Data

    • Quiz on Growing Degree Days

    • Module 4 eBook Review (53 pages)
  • 5

    Scouting Tools and Techniques

    • 501 Introduction to Scouting and Record Keeping

    • 502 Inspecting Trees and Thresholds

    • 503 Using Pest and Disease Calendars

    • 504 Using a Journal App

    • 505 Creating Your Scouting Kit

    • Quiz on Scouting and Thresholds

    • Module 5 IPM eBook Review (16 pages)

    • Resources and Downloads

    • Entomology Webinars and Next Steps

Bonus eBooks

8 Beautiful Full-Colour PDF eBooks

In addition to the short, easy-to-watch videos that make up this course, we have added 8 beautifully designed eBooks that you can bring with you to the garden or orchard to review what you've learned.

Bonus Webinars

Access two, hour-long bonus entomology webinars when you complete the course.

Once you complete the course, you can access two pre-recorded webinars in which OrchardPeople.com's Susan Poizner and NaturalInsectControl.com's entomologist Stacey Hickman answer student questions on spring and summer insect pests.

Tuition

Please note that our prices are in US dollars.

Financial Need Scholarships

For Students and People Financially Affected by COVID-19

If you are a student, or if you lost your job as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, we are offering discounted tuition to this course. Just reach out to us at info (at) OrchardPeople.com for more information. We'll get through this crisis together...and fruit trees will be part of the solution!

Frequently Asked Questions

Arborist Continuing Education Credits, Lifetime Access, and More

  • I'm an ISA Certified Arborist. How many continuing education credits (CEUs) will I get if I successfully complete this course?

    Your credits depend on the type of arborist you are. Here's the rundown! BCMA Science (3.5), Practice (1.5), Management (1.75), Climber Specialist (6.75), Certified Arborist (6.75), Utility Specialist (6.75), Municipal Specialist (6.75), Aerial Lift (6.75).

  • How long will it take for me to complete this course?

    This course is made up of videos, quizzes, eBooks and assignments and it can be completed in about 8 hours. you can do it all at once, or do it at your own pace. Once you complete this course, you will have a lot of confidence in dealing with the fruit tree pests and diseases in your community.

  • How much contact will I have with my instructor?

    You will be in touch with your instructor throughout this course. You will be participating in course discussions and interacting with your instructor to ask questions and to submit your course assignments for feedback. Our goal is to ensure that you feel supported during your Integrated Pest Management learning adventure!

What are students saying about this course?

Students who are enrolled in this course come from across North America and beyond. What are they saying about the course? Find out by reading the testimonials below.

Thorough and Practical

Tim Deibel

Not an "observational" course in which participants simply receive content, this class involves detailed research and development of personal resources to amplify and integrate the learning materials. The result is a useful "toolbox" - literally,...

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Not an "observational" course in which participants simply receive content, this class involves detailed research and development of personal resources to amplify and integrate the learning materials. The result is a useful "toolbox" - literally, intellectually, and experientially. Accessible, helpful, and motivating. Wonderful.

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Great course!

Gerri Gassert

As always, Susan has given me what I need to know in a concise format. Along with her expertise, she includes practical exercises that get you out to your trees to see what's going on. She offers outside reference links to keep you learning as w...

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As always, Susan has given me what I need to know in a concise format. Along with her expertise, she includes practical exercises that get you out to your trees to see what's going on. She offers outside reference links to keep you learning as well. I'll be signing up for any new courses she offers!

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Good Foundation course

Sara-Jade Woodsmith

Excellent course. Assignments encouraged exploration of local resources. I wish we had the option of downloading the slides at the end of the course (I say end because not having them right away means taking notes and absorbing the info more, bu...

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Excellent course. Assignments encouraged exploration of local resources. I wish we had the option of downloading the slides at the end of the course (I say end because not having them right away means taking notes and absorbing the info more, but I would like some cleaner/fuller ref for future refreshers).

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learning how to learn

Jeremy Gray

The IPM course is working for me. At about half way through my biggest take away thus far is how to do research. The volume of information out there is huge and I appreciate your course focuses on presenting the student with the tools to figure ou...

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The IPM course is working for me. At about half way through my biggest take away thus far is how to do research. The volume of information out there is huge and I appreciate your course focuses on presenting the student with the tools to figure out problems as they arise. For example.. referencing an insect pest to a time of year and type of damage rather than memorizing every possible bug that may cause a problem. I'm quickly catching on to the similarities in the habits of flies, moths and wasps. Much of this course is useful for IPM beyond just fruit trees.

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Cours complet! (Complete course!)

mélissa galipeau

Cours accessible et permet de prendre connaissance de plusieurs sources d'information. très pertinent. (Accessible course and allows you to learn about several sources of information. very relevant.)

Cours accessible et permet de prendre connaissance de plusieurs sources d'information. très pertinent. (Accessible course and allows you to learn about several sources of information. very relevant.)

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IPM

Colleen Partee

course was very well put together, loads of information

course was very well put together, loads of information

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amazing

Lindsay Stuijfzand

Thank you for all the in-depth information and links to the OMAFRA PDF on all sprays listed for use! Also The Holistic Orchard is EXCELLENT! Right up my alley!!!!!!!! Additional Webinar link was so great!

Thank you for all the in-depth information and links to the OMAFRA PDF on all sprays listed for use! Also The Holistic Orchard is EXCELLENT! Right up my alley!!!!!!!! Additional Webinar link was so great!

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Your Instructor

Susan Poizner is an urban orchardist and the Director of OrchardPeople.com Fruit Tree Care Education

Susan Poizner

Director, OrchardPeople.com

Susan Poizner in an urban orchardist, fruit tree care educator and ISA Certified Arborist. She is the author of the award-winning fruit tree care book Growing Urban Orchards and the creator of the fruit tree care training website at OrchardPeople.com. Susan is also the host of The Urban Forestry Radio Show and an instructor of Fruit Production at Niagara College in Ontario. Susan lives in Toronto, Canada.

Partners

This course is brought to you by OrchardPeople.com in partnership with Solida.ca and NaturalInsectControl.com

Solida IPM Supplies, Canada
Orchard People Fruit Tree Care Education
Natural Insect Control for Organic Pest Control Options

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