Blake Cothron - Pawpaws: The Complete Growing and Marketing Guide

Blake Cothrons book makes a much-needed contribution to the pursuit of pawpaw culture. It seems that interest in pawpaws has exploded beyond my imagination since the year 1976 when I undertook my quest to bring pawpaws out of the shadows of the forest and into the sunlight of gardens and orchards. This enthusiasm is a good thing, and it now requires answers to the many questions that naturally arise for those new to pawpaws. And since pawpaws are a new crop, there are many questions that orchardists and hobbyists have that Blake expertly addresses. The future will hold more questions and definitely the need for more breeding an opportunity for the patient and educated amateur.

R. Neal Peterson, founder, Peterson Pawpaws,
agricultural economist, USDA Economic Research Service

Planting a single pawpaw is a re-evolutionary act. Mixed use forests once blanketed us. Acorns, chestnuts, pawpaws, and their regional equivalents were the princes of that realm. With this valuable book, you can pawpaw your own food forests, restoring the diversity, abundance, and climate we all need.

Albert Bates, permaculture instructor, ecovillage designer,
author, The Biochar Solution: Carbon Farming and Climate Change

Blake Cothron is an authority on pawpaws and provides a clear, detailed guide for commercial success in growing this oddly appealing species (his own words). The supply of this exotic, trending, easy-to-grow fruit has not yet met the demand. Blake shares the wealth of his knowledge, including challenges and when he doesnt know, he says so (its probable that others dont know either).

Pam Dawling, author, The Year-Round Hoophouse
and Sustainable Market Farming

My own fascination with pawpaws began nearly 40 years ago with a visit to pawpaw breeder Tom Mansells Paw Paw Haven near Pittsburgh PA. Mr. Mansells food forest landscape had twenty-two varieties of pawpaws at one point. Eventually I discovered my own secret patch. Each September for the past twenty-five years I have waded through tall weeds, navigated a swampy stream bed, and traversed a small woodlot to harvest a few dozen complexly flavored fruits from my secret patch. These I share with friends and family and introduce new people to this uncommon seasonal delight. The pawpaws revival is long overdue. Blake Cothrons Pawpawswill help bring about the day when fragrant fruit is no longer a rare treat, but a regular part of our seasonal diet.

Darrell E. Frey, Three Sisters Farm, author, Bioshelter Market Garden,
co-author, The Food Forest Handbook

THE COMPLETE GROWING
AND MARKETINGGUIDE

BLAKE COTHRON

Copyright 2021 by Blake Cothron. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Diane McIntosh.

Lower middle, lower right Blake Cothron. Others iStock

All photographs copyright Blake Cothron unless otherwise noted.

Printed in Canada. First printing May 2021.

This book is for educational and informational purposes only. The trade names of certain products are for convenience and reference only. No special endorsement of a particular product or infringement with any trade name is intended. Products not mentioned but with equal effectiveness could be used in successful production. It is not our intent to criticize any products not mentioned (though we do only advocate organic products). Remember that these are provided as guidelines only and are not a substitute for product labeling, instruction, and manufacturer information. All agriculture is done at your own risk, and the author and publisher are not responsible for any loss or damages due to following the advice and recommendations in this book.

Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Pawpawsshould be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below. To order directly from the publishers, please call toll- free (North America) 1-800-567-6772, or order online at www.newsociety.com