Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 4, 1993 TAG: 9302030098
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joe Hunnings
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
THINKING SMALL, NOW AND THEN, CAN PRODUCE VERY BIG RETURNS
The last two weeks, we have explored some necessary factors for beginning successful fruit tree planting at home. This week I want to take a brief look at small-fruit production, including blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and grapes.The small fruits offer advantages over fruit trees for home culture. They require a minimum of space for the amount of fruit produced and bear one or two years after planting. Also, pest control is typically easier than with most fruit trees.
Success with a small-fruit planting will depend upon the attention given to all phases of production: variety selection, soil management, fertilization, pruning and pest control.
Plant only what you can care for properly. It is better to have a small, well-attended planting than a large, neglected one.
Locate your small-fruit planting as close to your home as possible, in full sun. Space in or near the vegetable garden is usually preferred.
Where space is a limiting factor, small fruits may be used in place of ornamental plants of comparable size. Strawberries may be used as a border for a flower bed or as a ground cover. Grapes and raspberries may be planted parallel to the garden on a trellis or a fence along a property line. Blueberries may form a dense hedge or a foundation planting.
Select a site that is free from frost pockets, low or wet spots and exposure to strong prevailing winds. Small fruits thrive best in a fertile, sandy loam soil high in organic matter, but they will give good returns on the average garden soil with adequate fertilization and good cultural practices.
Overcrowding frequently results in weak plants and low yields. It also makes insect and disease control more difficult. For best results, small fruit plants should be set no closer than the minimums indicated below.\ \ SPACE REQUIREMENT, YIELD, BEARING AGE AND LIFE EXPECTANCY
\ Blueberry: distance between rows, 6 feet; distance between plants, 4 feet; annual yield, 4-6 quarts; bearing age, 3 years; life expectancy, 20-30 years.
\ Blackberry: distance between rows, 8 feet; distance between plants, 3 feet; annual yield, 1 1/2 quarts; bearing age, 1 year; life expectancy, 5-12 years.
\ Raspberry: distance between rows, 8 feet; distance between plants, 3 feet; annual yield, 1 1/2 quarts; bearing age, 1 year; life expectancy, 5-12 years.
\ Grape: distance between rows, 10 feet; distance between plants, 8 feet; annual yield, 15 pounds; bearing age, 3 years; life expectancy, 20-30 years.
\ Strawberry: distance between rows, 3 feet; distance between plants, 2 feet; annual yield, 1-2 quarts; bearing age, 1 year; life expectancy, 3 years.
Special attention should be given to the choice of varieties. They must be adapted to your soil and climatic conditions. If possible, without sacrificing too much yield or quality, select varieties with the least insect and disease problems. The following table lists a few varieties of small fruits that are adapted for growing under Virginia conditions.
\ Blueberries: Bluecrop, Berkeley.
\ Blackberries: Shawnee, Black Satin (thornless).
\ Red raspberries: Latham, Heritage.
\ Black raspberries: Bristol, Cumberland.
\ Purple raspberries: Brandywine, Royalty.
\ Strawberries: Earliglow, Surecrop, Guardian.
\ Grapes (American bunch): Himrod, Concord, Niagara.
Obtain the best nursery stock available. Buy only from reputable nurseries that guarantee their plants to be true to name, of high quality, and packed and shipped correctly. Beware of bargains. High prices do not necessarily mean high quality, but well-grown plants are not cheap.
Place your order early, as soon as you decide what you want. Specify variety, size and grade of plants desired and time of shipment preferred. It is best to have the plants arrive as you are ready to set them out.
When your order arrives, unpack the bundles and inspect the plants. The roots should be moist and have a bright, fresh appearance. Shrivelled roots indicate that the plants have been allowed to freeze or dry out in storage or transit. Such plants seldom survive.
If plants cannot be set immediately, they should be kept either in cold storage or heeled-in. Wrap them in a garbage bag or other material that will prevent drying and store them at a temperature just above freezing.
Strawberry plants, in small quantities, may be held in the refrigerator for a few days. If refrigerated storage is not available, remove the plants from the bundle and heel them in carefully in a trench of moist soil in a shaded location. Pack the soil firmly around the roots to eliminate all air pockets and to prevent the roots from drying out.\ ESTABLISH THE PLANTING
There is probably nothing that causes more disappointment and failure in small-fruit plantings than the lack of careful preparation and attention to detail at the time the plantings are established. Prepare the soil properly, set the plants carefully and generally create conditions favorable for new growth.
Detailed suggestions for the establishment and management of each of the small fruits can be obtained by calling your local extension office for a copy of Extension Publication 426-840, "Small Fruits in the Home Garden."
Few crops are as well suited for small-scale agriculture as the small fruits. Significant returns can be achieved on just a few acres.
To learn more about the potential for commercial small-fruit production, you may wish to attend the 1993 Western Virginia Small Fruit School in Roanoke on Feb. 16, beginning at 9 a.m. Call your extension office for an agenda and registration form.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. If you have questions, call the Montgomery County extension office at 382-5790.