This checklist was
originally developed for blackberry growers in North Carolina. Many of the
items apply to raspberry production as well. You may have to adjust your work
activities either earlier or later depending on your location.
This checklist is very
general, but should help get you to think about what types of activities occur
at various times of the year.
Check the items listed
below off as they get done.
WINTER
Plant growth and
development
·
Plant is not visibly
growing during the winter months although many blackberries will retain their
leaves through the winter
·
Some differentiation
occurs in the flower buds (flowers continue to develop)
·
Low chilling cultivars
can break bud in January after adequate winter chilling. You can monitor
chilling hours accumulated in eight states in the eastern US by accessing this
site: cronos/blackberry/chill_model
·
Developmental stages
at this time of year as mentioned in the IPM guide http://www.smallfruits.org/assets/documents/ipm-guides/Caneberry-Spray-Guide.pdf
are : 1. Dormant 2.Delayed
dormant (swollen bud) to green tip
Pruning and trellising
·
Pruning should occur
in late winter. However, in some areas winter ice storms can do
tremendous damage to plants and trellis systems. If you produce blackberries in
one of these areas, pruning can take place early winter to help avoid severe
damage
·
Make trellis repairs
after plants have defoliated but before pruning and training.
·
Erect types
- Prune out the spent floricanes
- Tie canes to wires in a fan shape
- Cut lateral branches back to 8-12”
- Thin canes to 6-8 canes/ hill (4 ft spacing)
·
Trailing types
- Prune out spent floricanes
- Tie or weave canes to wire so that they do not overlap
- Prune side laterals to 12-18”
- Thin canes to 6-8 hill (6-8 ft spacing)
·
Primocane fruiting
raspberries and blackberries
- Prune (mow) primocane fruiting types to ground level
Weed control
Check the Southern
Regional Bramble Integrated Management Guide for recommendations.
www.smallfruits.org
·
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 local extension agent for cultural or chemical means to control
these weeds.
·
Some growers are
having success with biodegradable mulch to suppress the weeds the year of the
planting
Insect and disease scouting
Check the Southern
Regional Bramble Integrated Management Guide for recommendations.
www.smallfruits.org
·
Scout fields for
insect and disease damage and remove those canes
·
Remove wild
blackberries and raspberries by the roots if they are within 600 ft of your
planting during the winter
Planting
·
Take soil tests to
determine fertility needs for spring plantings.
·
There are some new
raspberry and blackberry cultivars available each year. If you have not tried
them or it is not know how they will do in your region, it is best to order a
small quantity to see how well they will perform in your area
·
For larger growers, prepare
list of cultivars for 2020 plantings and order now. Smaller quantities of
plants can be order in early 2019 for spring 2020 planting
·
A commercial small
fruit nursery lists at
- www.raspberryblackberry.com/ for-growers/
- https:// blogs.cornell.edu/berrynurseries/
Water management
·
Make repairs to
irrigation system (check pumps, lines, etc.)
·
Plants generally do
not need supplemental water in winter
Marketing and
miscellaneous
·
Order containers for
next season
·
Make contacts for
selling fruit next season
For more detailed
information, check the Southern Region Integrated Bramble Management Guide and
the Southeast Regional Bramble Production Guide online version: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/southeast-regional-caneberry-production-guide
Or PDF version: http://www.smallfruits.org/assets/documents/ipm-guides/2016/AG-697_2016SoutheasternCaneberryProduction_Press.pdf
Attend grower meetings
North Carolina
Commercial Blackberry and Raspberry Association. Feb 15, 2019.
Meeting will be held
at the Cleveland County Extension Auditorium, 130 S. Post Rd; Shelby, NC 28152.
Please arrive in time to set up prior to the start of the meeting. Contact
Daniel Shires for more information. (704) 482-4365
