Top 10 Things Berry Growers Need To Do Before 2015

Gary GaoThis is my first article for the American and Western Fruit Grower magazine. Many fruit growers in Ohio know me quite well since I am a small fruit Extension specialist with The Ohio State University. I certainly hope to get to know many of you outside Ohio. As the 2014 growing season comes to an end, there are a few things I would like to suggest to you in your bramble operation to get you ready for 2015. My inspiration for this article came from David Letterman and his famous Top 10 lists.

    1. Disease control is still very important even late in the season.“Many growers tend to forget that cane disease control after harvest is very critical for successful bramble production,” says Brett Rhoads, an owner and the sales manager of Rhoads Farm and Garden Center in Circleville, OH.He grows about 22 acres of blackberries using rotatable cross-arm trellis. Cane blight and orange rust are some of the common diseases that growers need to manage going into the dormant season. Refer to the fruit spray guides in your state for current spray schedules and labeled fungicides.
    2. Control weeds in the fall or late fall, when perennial weeds and winter annuals can be a problem. Mike Pullins of Champaign Berry Farm in Urbana, OH, tackles some of the pesky weeds in fall and late fall. “Some of the tough-to-control perennial weeds can be effectively controlled after leaves fall in late fall and before really cold temperatures hit,” he says. Spot treating goldenrod and Canada thistle with a labeled herbicide might be a good option. Mike also uses a grape hoe as a non-chemical way to control weeds. An application of a pre-emergent herbicide in fall or late fall is a good way to prevent winter annuals, such as chickweed and purple deadnettle.
Brett Rhoads of Rhoads Farm and Garden Center in Circleville, OH, says postharvest cane disease control is critical heading into the dormant season. (Photo credit: Gary Gao)

Brett Rhoads of Rhoads Farm and Garden Center in Circleville, OH, says postharvest cane disease control is critical heading into the dormant season. (Photo credit: Gary Gao)

  1. Gather information about new bramble cultivars. After the mad dash of the season is over, bramble growers should also look into new cultivars that might be good replacements for their farm. State universities, USDA, nursery growers, or private breeders can be good sources for information on new cultivars.

  2.  Attend educational programs and trade shows. Late fall is a perfect time to decide which educational programs and trade shows to attend. Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association’s Congress in January is an excellent program in Ohio. Great Lakes Expo in Grand Rapids is another popular Midwestern conference and trade show. Contact your local Extension professionals for information on pesticide recertification schools, if you need pesticide credits to renew your pesticide license. I am sure no one wants to retake the pesticide exam(s).“I typically learn something new from all of the programs I attend,” Mullins says. “I am even able to gather useful information from agronomic crops meetings for my raspberry operation.”
  3. Don’t guess, soil test. I am sure you have heard this saying from your Extension folks. Soil testing is always a good thing. Most growers test their soils in spring. I like soil testing in late fall as long as the soil is not frozen. Soil testing labs are not as busy this time of the year. You get your results back quicker and they will likely answer your questions about the results.
  4. Check your irrigation system and water. Since most bramble growers use drip irrigation, it is always a good idea to check your drip system for leaks, plugged emitters, dirty filters, and water quality. Your irrigation water should be tested for biological, chemical and physiological constituents. Check with your Extension professionals or testing labs to see what needs to be tested. A wonderful reference is “Raspberry and Blackberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest, and Eastern Canada,” NRAES-35, edited by Lori Bushway, Marvin Pritts, and David Handley, and published by NRAES in May 2008.

    Mike Pullins of Champaign Berry Farm uses a grape hoe to shallowly cultivate his red raspberry beds to mechanically control weeds. (Photo credit: Gary Gao)

    Mike Pullins of Champaign Berry Farm uses a grape hoe to shallowly cultivate his red raspberry beds to mechanically control weeds. (Photo credit: Gary Gao)

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  5. Manage nuisance wildlife problems. Nuisance wildlife, such as deer, mice, rabbits, voles and woodchucks, do not seem to take a day off. Rabbits can girdle blackberries and black raspberries during the dormant season. Check with local wildlife officials for laws and regulations.
  6. Look into high tunnel bramble production. High tunnels can be quite useful for improved fruit quality, increased yield, and season extension of brambles. It is a good idea to talk with your local Extension folks and your fellow growers about high tunnel bramble production. Refer to “High Tunnel Raspberries and Blackberries” by Cathy Heidenreich, Marvin Pritts, Kathy Demchak, Eric Hanson, Courtney Weber, and Mary Jo Kelly for more information. This updated publication (2012) is available online.
  7. Attend a pruning clinic in your area. It is a good idea to get a refresher on your pruning skills during the winter months so that you can learn the latest techniques. Pruning techniques for brambles vary a great deal by region, bramble type, cultivar, and production system. It never hurts to find out what the latest and the greatest pruning techniques are.
  8. Catch the latest information on insect management. There are a few insects that bramble growers will have to manage. Spotted wing drosophila seems to be the biggest issue for many bramble growers. Gather as much information as you can about it during the winter months. This pest will not likely go away anytime soon.

I hope I have given you a few things to think about. I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

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