Growing SmallFruit

In Duluth

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• Kinds of fruit to plant

–What does the family like?

–Hardiness

–yield

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

Vole control• Shoot and eat• Get Cats• Trap• Keep grass mowed• Feed them bubble

gum• Rodentrol

Deer OUTSIDE the fence

Slant Fence

A design from New Zealand

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

Strawberry growing

• Life cycle

• Renovation

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

Juneberries

• Honeywood• Northline, • Pembina• Regent• Smokey• Theissen• Wild

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

• Pixwell• Poorman• Welcome

• Gooseberries set singly from the stem.

Black currants

• Consort• Antonina’s

Red Currant

• Red Lake

• MN 71

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

Harvest and storing

• Harvest at peak ripeness– Remove field heat – refrigerate– Store cold 40F

• Keeping the harvest– Freeze, can, dry, Juice, jam, jelly– Answer line 1-800-854-1678 (fruit processing)