FALL
Plant growth and development
·
Primocanes continue to grow but growth rate is slower
·
Flower buds start to form in leaf axils on summer-fruiting types
·
Carbohydrates and nutrients in canes begin to move into the roots
·
Primocane fruiting types begin to flower in late summer/early fall and
fruit matures until frost in fall
·
Primocane leaves senesce late fall
Harvest
·
Primocane-fruiting raspberry harvest ends when there is a hard freeze
·
Primocane-fruiting blackberry harvest late summer/early fall
Pruning, trellising and tunnels
·
Spent floricanes should be removed as soon as possible
·
Optimal time to prune is after the coldest part of the
season is over. However pruning can start in late fall if plantings are large
(late winter for smaller plantings).
·
Start trellis repairs after plants have defoliated
·
Remove covers on three-season tunnels
Weed management
·
Many summer weed problems can be best managed in the fall
and winter using preemergent herbicides. Determine what weeds have been or
could be a problem in your area. Check with your states agricultural chemical
manual and local extension agent for the best-labeled chemicals to control
these weeds.
Insect and disease scouting
·
Continue scouting for insects and diseases.
·
Remove damaged canes as soon as possible to lessen the
impact of the pest.
·
Check the Southern Regional Bramble integrated Management
Guide for recommendations. http://www.smallfruits.org
Planting
·
Growers in warmer areas (e.g. extreme southeastern NC) can
plant into early December. Preparations
for winter planting should have already been made. If you have questions about
winter planting please contact your local county extension agent
·
In cooler areas, prepare list of cultivars for next
spring’s new plantings. Find a commercial small fruit nursery list at http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berry/nurseries/
Fertilizer
·
Take soil tests to determine fertility needs for spring
plantings.
·
Non-nitrogenous fertilizers are best applied in the fall to
established plantings.
·
If soil is bare, plant an overwintering cover crop (e.g.
rye) to build organic matter and slow soil erosion.
Marketing and miscellaneous
·
Order containers for next season
·
Make contacts for selling fruit next season
Make plans to attend Grower meetings! Blackberries and
raspberries are part or all of these programs.
- The 2015 North American Raspberry & Blackberry
Conference will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on February
24-27, 2015. For more information and an sneak peek at the program: http://www.raspberryblackberry.com/local.cfm?doc=webdocs/2015Conference
Overview.htm
- Southeast Regional Conference and Tradeshow, with sessions on
blackberry
January 8-9, 2015, at the Savannah
International Trade and Convention Center http://www.seregionalconference.com/educational-sessions/
Key Resources:
Southern Region
Integrated Bramble Management Guide and the Southeast Regional Bramble Production
Guide: http://www.smallfruits.org/SmallFruitsRegGuide/index.htm
Blackberry and
Raspberry Grower Information Portal:
http://rubus.ces.ncsu.edu
Social Media
links:
Twitter: @NCTeamRubus
Facebook : Team Rubus
Blogs: http://teamrubus.blogspot.com/
