growing small fruit in duluth. planning the planting size of fruit planting –space –size of...
TRANSCRIPT
Planning the planting
• Size of fruit planting
–Space
–Size of family (10 blueberry plants/family)
–Experience of grower ( start small)
Planning–Fruit plot location
• Soil type ( blueberries need acid soil)
• Drainage
• Sun
• Water availability
Planning• Getting the plants
– Local nurseries– Soil and Water Conservation district tree sale– Duluth Community Gardens fruit sale
• 722-4583• www.duluthcommunitygarden.org
– Mail order: FEDCO trees, St Lawrence– Transplant from wild
Soil and site preparation
• Soil test (Extension 733-2870)– GSC 320 W 2nd St Room 111 ( county) – www.extension.umn.edu fruit info sheet– Answer line 1-800-854-1678 (fruit processing)
• Site history
• Plan out irrigation
• Fertilizer timing.
Planting• Timing – Plant in spring
• Care of stock- keep roots damp
• Planting holes- depends on the plant
• Root pruning of woody plants- cut off broken roots
• Watering-1 inch/week
Seasonal care• Mulch
• Weed control – keep grass away
• train to get the best fruit (Trellis or prune)
• Animal pest control
• Insect and disease control – inspect frequently
Insect pests
• Fruit worm• Wasps• Bird damage
Insect pests can be generalists or specific to the crop
Common Diseases
• Botrytis – grey Mold• anthracnose
Colletotrichum acutatum
Shrub Cherries for Duluth
• Prunus tomentosa– Nanking cherry– Hansen Bush cherry
• Native cherries– sand,
Raspberries
• Summer-bearing– Latham– Boyne– Nordic – Festival– Amber ( yellow)
• Fall Bearing– Avoid most of
these unless you don’t care about total yield
– Autumn Bliss (best)– Fallgold (yellow)
Raspberry specifics
• Plant Raspberries 2-2.5 feet apart in the rows with rows 7-8 feet apart
• Prune to 3-5 canes/crown the second year
• Understand the life cycle of a cane
• Fall vs. summer fruiting
• Can be trellised
• Diseases : anthracnose and virus
Blueberries
• Minnesota ½-high– Northblue– Northsky– Chippewa– Polaris– St.Cloud
• Wild – can be transplanted
• Avoid highbush
Blueberry specifics
• Plant 3 feet apart
• 10 plants will feed a family of 4
• Must have acid soil ( pH 4.5-5)
• 5X15 raised bed filled with peat and sand
• Mulch with compost and pine needles
• Prune out stems 4 year old and older
• Water 1 inch/week
Strawberries
• June Bearing– Honeoye– Sparkle– Trumpeter– Veestar
• Ever-bearing– Ft. Laramie– Ogallala– Tribute
Strawberry specifics
• Plant as early as possible
• Planting depth critical
• Plants 18-24”apart in rows and 3-4’ between rows
• Mulch – straw works well
Seeded Grapes
• Beta (black)• Valiant (black)• Edelweiss (white)• Swenson Red (Red)• Marquette (wine grape)• Wild grapes
• Seedless don’t work well here
Grape specifics
• Plant in a warm place/ full sun
• Plant bare root plants in spring
• 6-8 feet apart
• Prune to 10 buds per “arm” after its established
• 2-3 horizontal wires to support vine
Juneberry specifics
• Depending on the variety these can be 4-12 feet tall
• Space them according to their form
• The taller forms are being used as landscape shrubs
• Soil pH 5-6.5
• Full sun in Northern MN
Gooseberry specifics
• Well adapted to Northern MN
• Soil pH 5.5-7
• Roots are shallow so they will need water on dry sites
• Ribes should be planted at least an inch deeper than they were at the nursery
• Plant 3-6 feet apart
• Mature plants: 9-12 canes after pruning